The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team took a significant step toward becoming complete yesterday with the return of prized recruit Roderick Flemings.

The 6-foot-7 junior forward practiced with the Rainbow Warriors yesterday after missing more than a week while on a bereavement leave.

Flemings was in Dallas since Oct. 31 because of the death of his grandfather, Ronald Young.

"I'm dedicating my whole season to him," Flemings said. "My real dad wasn't around when I was young, so my grandfather was like the man who raised me. It was a big loss, but the thing he told me before he died was he wanted me to go and finish my dream. My dream is to get to the NBA and finish school and get my degree."

Flemings is being touted as Hawai'i's best recruit since Anthony Carter in 1996. Flemings was a junior college first-team All-American last season at Weatherford College (Texas), and he chose to play for the 'Bows over Kentucky.

Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said Flemings still has some catching up to do.

"We put in a lot of different things just in the past week, so he still has to learn it," Nash said. "But he has a pretty good basketball IQ, so I don't see it being a big problem."

Flemings spent much of yesterday's practice asking questions and observing his teammates run the various offensive sets. What's more, he said his sprained right ankle is still not 100 percent healed.

"I just need a little more time to get the plays down and get my ankle better," he said. "I'll be ready by (Friday)."

The 'Bows will open their season on Friday against San Francisco at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Flemings is expected to see action at both the small forward and shooting guard positions.

"We're more concerned about his defense, and learning our system," Nash said. "I think offensively he'll be OK."

Flemings was one of several 'Bows who did not participate in exhibition games against Hawai'i-Hilo and Chaminade last week.

Sophomore point guard Hiram Thompson was still unable to participate in practice yesterday due to a hamstring injury.

Junior forward Brandon Adams is still awaiting word on a paperwork issue that will determine whether or not he redshirts this season.

Freshman guard Conrad Fitzgerald returned to practice yesterday, but with a mask on his face to protect a broken nose.