Isaac Fleming’s word was his bond, and his signature was his bind to Hawaii.

Fleming’s oral commitment back in mid-September held up against some scrutiny from other Division I programs and UH announced him as officially signed for the 2014-15 season on Monday, five days after the start of the fall signing period. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound combo guard out of Massanutten Military Academy (Va.) is coach Gib Arnold’s first building block for that class.

"He was recruited, even after we got the commitment, (by) Kansas State and West Virginia," Arnold said. "Guys got involved. And I think he’s that good, he’s a high-major recruit and we’re thrilled to have him. I think he’s a very, very good player and he’s playing for a real good program at Massanutten to where he’s getting taught right and coached right and academically he’s at a tough school. So he’ll be ready for college basketball by the time he gets here."

Rutgers and Virginia Tech were also mentioned by UH as teams targeting Fleming.

The coach lauded Fleming’s versatility — he’s billed as being able to play the 1 through the 3 — with athleticism and shooting ability.

Fleming will be the first player in program history from Delaware. He took a visit to UH in late August with his mother.

As a junior at National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Md., last season, Fleming averaged 25.7 points and close to 10 rebounds and four assists per game. He earned All-Metro honors from the Washington Post.

Arnold himself isn’t yet officially signed into next season, as his current contract expires after the current 2013-14 season. But a multi-year extension for the fourth-year coach is expected to be announced midseason.

It’s not likely that UH will add another player during this fall signing period, which ends Wednesday. More players may be added in the spring (late) period starting April 16.

Some of the recent NCAA basketball rule changes favoring offensive players are having an effect on Arnold’s recruiting strategies. Taking charges with help-side defense is more difficult, Arnold said, rewarding teams with rim protectors.

"I would say our No. 1 emphasis right now is to get us a nice long athlete who can move and block some shots," Arnold said. "I just think that’s the new wave of basketball. The teams that have the more shot blockers are going to be more effective defensively."