The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is in contention for a starting post player from the top high school team in the country.

Godwin Okonji — a 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior at Findlay College Prep in Nevada — will make a recruiting visit to Hawai'i this weekend.

The Rainbow Warriors and New Mexico are currently the top contenders to sign Okonji, according to Findlay Prep associate head coach Todd Simon.

"Godwin is a big, strong, athletic big man who is very versatile," Simon said. "He's got skills to play on the perimeter, but he's also a strong rebounder and big-time defensive player."

Okonji was a starter as a junior last season, when Findlay Prep went 33-0 and won the national high school championship. Findlay Prep defeated perennial powers Montrose Christian and Oak Hill in the semifinals and final, respectively.

Okonji averaged 5.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and had a .596 field-goal percentage last season.

"He really came on late in the year and helped us win the championship," Simon said. "His numbers are actually a little deceiving because, for one, our average margin of victory was close to 30 points and so he didn't play that many minutes. And also keep in mind that he was surrounded by some really good scorers.

"If Godwin were on an average high school team, he'd probably average 25 (points) and 15 (rebounds). On a team like ours, he does a little bit of everything to help us win."

ESPN.com ranks Okonji as the No. 14 center in the high school class of 2010. Simon said Okonji can play either the power forward or center position.

Okonji is originally from Nigeria. He was discovered by the Findlay Prep coaches at a basketball camp in Nigeria.

"He's really learned the game in his two years with us," Simon said. "And we feel like he's going to have a good year coming up."

Okonji is also being recruited by San Diego, UNLV and Utah.

UH AT NEVADA ON ESPNU

Hawai'i's Jan. 30 road game at Nevada will be televised on ESPNU, it was announced yesterday.

With that, the 'Bows will have at least three games televised on an ESPN station this season.

The Nov. 16 home game against Northern Colorado will be televised on ESPN as part of the College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon.

The Dec. 22 home game against College of Charleston will be on ESPNU. That game is part of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, and the 'Bows could get two more ESPN broadcasts during the tournament.