Thanks to big brother Matt, Amanda Lojeski's trophy collection is getting to be quite impressive.

Matt Lojeski has had quite a start for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team this season, receiving all-tournament trophies from both the Great Alaska Shootout and Rainbow Classic, the Most Valuable Player award from the Rainbow Classic, and a Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week award.

All of the trophies are now safe in Racine, Wis.

"It's kind of a tradition in my family," Lojeski said. "When we get something, it's for her. When I got that MVP (at the Rainbow Classic) I knew right away I was going to give it to her."

Amanda Lojeski was diagnosed with congenital sensory neuropathy shortly after her birth. She does not have feeling in her extremities, but she has plenty in her heart.

"She realizes she's a little different, but she appreciates her life and she's always optimistic," Matt said. "She puts my life in perspective. She's the reason why I try to work hard every day. Running sprints, getting up for practice, stuff like that, that's nothing compared to what she goes through in a day."

The hard work has paid off for Matt. The 6-foot-6 senior guard has been the top all-around player for the Rainbow Warriors this season.

He leads the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game, field-goal percentage at 55.8 percent, and assists with 5.1 per game. He is also second on the team in rebounding with 5.5 per game.

Some of his success can be traced to family games in the driveway, and one-on-one games with his younger brother David in the basement.

When Matt and David were young, they would clear the basement to set up a court, complete with mini-baskets at each end.

"They would run back and forth, playing all day," said their father, Thomas. "And then I would come home from work and they would get me to play with them."

When they got older, the pick-up games moved out to the driveway of their grandparents' home. With more than a dozen uncles and cousins participating, family parties often turned into all-day basketball tournaments.

Two years ago, Thomas tore an Achilles tendon during one of the pick-up games.

"That's when I knew the boys were getting too big for me," he said. "But I want you to know that I was shutting down Matt at the time."

Matt is now 21 and David is 18. David is currently playing baseball at a junior college in Wisconsin.

Matt was also an all-star baseball player through high school, but he chose to play basketball at Eastern Wyoming College before joining Hawai'i in 2005.

"We're like best friends," Matt said of his brother. "We grew up playing sports together, so we were always close."

In truth, the entire Lojeski family is close. Last week, father Thomas, mother Debbie, brother David and sister Amanda were all in Honolulu to celebrate Christmas with Matt.

"I would say we spent between $7,000 to $8,000 for the trip," Thomas said. "But it was well worth it."

Of course, Matt gave them a nice Christmas present with his performance in the Rainbow Classic.

"Ever since I can remember, our family would get together, especially for the holidays — aunts, uncles, all my cousins," Matt said. "So I really appreciate that my family could be with me. If there's one thing I miss about being so far from home, it's my family."

Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said he visited the Lojeski home in Racine when the 'Bows were recruiting Matt in 2004.

"They are a very close family," Wallace said. "When you have a daughter like that, it makes the whole family special because they all do their part to make it work. It's nice to know there are still families like that around."

Amanda, who is now 15, can walk for short distances, but otherwise uses a wheelchair. Thomas said doctors told them she wouldn't be able to walk at all when she was a baby.

"She battled and battled and battled," Thomas said. "One day when she was maybe 6, I came home and she was standing up, using the walls to balance herself. We love what Matt's doing over there at Hawai'i, but what 'Mandy' did that day tops Matt scoring 33 points (in the Rainbow Classic championship)."

Once Amanda learned how to walk, she insisted on completing not-so-simple chores, like getting the mail.

"She would take a few steps and fall, take a few steps and fall," Thomas said. "But every time we tried to get her, she said no. If she had the physical ability, she'd be the best athlete out of all of us because she's stronger mentally than anybody I've ever seen."

When Amanda was younger, Matt and David would take turns carrying her around the house, making sure she could at least be in the same room when they got into their sports battles.

When Matt and David got older and started playing organized sports, Amanda would often sit on or near the bench with them.

"Matt and David both have a very strong determination when it comes to their sports," Thomas said. "And I think they learned that from their sister."

Now, Amanda follows Matt's progress via the Internet. When the 'Bows play on weekends, she gets to stay up late with her parents and follow the video Webcast.

"She is a huge Hawai'i fan now," Thomas said.

After Hawai'i beat Creighton, 76-60, for the Rainbow Classic championship on Dec. 23, Matt walked off the court with two trophies in his arms and several flower lei around his neck.

Moments later, Amanda looked like the MVP, complete with the flower lei.

"She's been through I don't know how many surgeries, and she always comes out smiling and happy," Matt said. "So I know that I can't take anything for granted. Just for her to get up and walk to the kitchen is tougher than anything I'll ever do. She makes me realize how special it is to be able to do the things I do."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.