Hawaii football player Jeremiah Ostrowski has finally crossed over to the UH men’s basketball team.

Ostrowski, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound point guard out of Punahou, brings much-needed depth to the Rainbow Warriors’ backcourt, though not immediately. At the same time as his addition was announced by UH this afternoon, the departure of reserve guards Anthony Salter and Jordan Coleman was made official.

He won’t fully join the basketball team until after the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, meaning he’ll miss the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic but be ready for the start of Western Athletic Conference play.

Ostrowski, who will be a two-sport player for UH, will have two years of eligibility for UH basketball coach Gib Arnold — the rest of this season and 2011-12. Though a sophomore on the football team, he will be listed as a junior with the hoops team because his eligibility expires after the fall of 2012.

"We’re excited to have him join us and we welcome the winning attitude and toughness he brings after being part of our 2010 WAC champion football team," Arnold said in a UH release.

On Coleman and Salter, Arnold said: "Jordan and Anthony have chosen to leave the team and pursue other schools where they will have the possibility of more playing time. We appreciate their efforts and wish them all the best."

The move by Ostrowski was long rumored and anticipated, though the former Buffanblu standout hasn’t played hoops in an official capacity since high school in 2007.

His explosiveness off the dribble and fearlessness going to the basket despite his limited height made him one of the most exciting players in the state. However, he was also a gifted receiver, and opted for UH to play football as a slotback over other schools’ offers for basketball.

Ostrowski was a four-time all-state first-team selection in basketball. As a senior, he led the Buffanblu to the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title and the 2007 state championship game against Kaimuki.

He grayshirted at UH after high school, then redshirted in 2008. He’s been a reserve for Greg McMackin’s team since, appearing in nine games over the last two seasons.