The Hawaii men’s basketball team fortified one of its biggest positions of need with the addition of Lincoln (N.Y.) High point guard Shaquille Stokes, who committed to play for the Rainbow Warriors today.

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Stokes chose UH over Colorado State.

"I just felt Hawaii was the place for me to be. Great coaching staff, great school. I want to start a tradition there and build the program up," Stokes said.

Stokes was the league MVP for the Brooklyn-based Lincoln Railsplitters, averaging 18.4 points, five rebounds and four assists per game in league games. Lincoln went 28-3 and lost in the prestigious New York public school championship game. Stokes was the All-Brooklyn Player of the Year.

Today Stokes was also named the New York City Player of the Year by the New York Daily News.

His national letter of intent paperwork was signed and sent.

"Shaquille gives our team a great added dimension," UH coach Gib Arnold said. "New York point guards have a reputation for being tough, defensive-minded players who can create off the dribble. Shaquille fits that mold perfectly. He played for a winning program under a legendary coach (Dwayne Morton) that has consistently produced players at the point guard position, most recently Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson."

Stokes was the fourth spring signee for UH and sixth player overall for the 2011-12 recruiting class.

UH starts next season with sophomore Bobby Miles, freshman Gerry Blakes and Stokes at point guard. Last season’s starter at the point late in the year, Miah Ostrowski, will be a senior for basketball when he rejoins the team in December after the completion of UH football season.