Tom Henderson was heralded as "the Cadillac of the nation's guards" and Anthony Carter was christened the "real deal."

Now comes Roderick Flemings, soon to a basketball court near you, as ..."The Franchise?"

Flemings, a junior college small forward who recently signed with the University of Hawai'i, has been so highly touted a recruit — perhaps the most heavily-hyped in Rainbow hoops history at the time of signing — that UH coaches, fans and media have been dusting off the legends and sparing few superlatives. Which can sometimes be a dangerous thing.

Already the 6-foot-7, 215-pounder has been anointed "The Franchise" by some and call-in radio speculation is whether he'll be a one-and-done player, going to the NBA after a year in Manoa. Even UH coach Bob Nash, normally given to massive understatement, has said, "Not since A.C. Carter have we signed a player with the type of talent and excitement that Roderick brings." Others invoke the sainted name of Henderson, only the most accomplished to wear a UH uniform in the sport.

UH headlined Flemings' signing as "Rainbow Warrior Basketball Lands Prized Recruit" — and three days later announced that it would begin taking deposits for new season ticket orders.

Considering that Henderson and Carter were JC All-Americans, Reggie Carter was a Parade All-American and Chris Gaines was "Mr. Iowa basketball" and they didn't get the same fanfare at signing, that is saying something.

While it certainly says a lot about Flemings, a first-team All-American who averaged 20.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game at Weatherford (Texas) College, it says more about the program he comes to when he completes academic requirements.

It speaks to the barely tethered hopes — fans' and UH's — for a Rainbow revival. It points out how much we all want to believe that the 'Bows' fortunes are turning and how nobody can wait.

In the age of instant messaging, the wish is for an instant messiah. Internet blogs and call-in radio, forums either nonexistent or just coming into their own in the days of Henderson and the Carters, have cast Flemings, the headliner of Nash's first real recruiting class, in that role. There has been no wait-and-see about it.

Patience is nice, but coming off 11-17 it apparently fades quickly when it has been four years since UH last reached the postseason and six since an NCAA Tournament appearance. It has also been a while since the Stan Sheriff Center played to capacity and basketball was a big contributor to the athletic department budget.

Men's basketball, once the No. 2 money-maker on campus, lost $660,867 for the last fiscal year, according to UH figures, and could go beyond that for the current fiscal year. Ticket revenue in the just-completed season slid to at least a five-year low.

Flemings could be just what the accountants ordered, the breakthrough coaches have worked for and the answer fans have prayed for. After a considerable pre-signing buildup, Flemings' commitment to UH over what ESPN said was interest by Kentucky, Arkansas and Texas A&M among others, generated a remarkable offseason buzz. No small feat in a week when Colt Brennan and the NFL Draft were the talk of the state.

The hope now is that Flemings will clear the academic hurdles and really be that once-in-a-blue moon player when he shows up at Manoa. Of course, by then, the way expectations have been mounting, he may have to be.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.