Take a deep breath and repeat after me: It is not time to panic — yet — about the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team’s recruiting class…

Or, the apparent lack thereof to date.

Yes, Wednesday’s final day of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball regular signing period passed without the Rainbow Warriors announcing any new signees.

And, now that you mention it, after more than five weeks over two combined recruiting periods, the ’Bows still have three of four scholarships burning a hole in their pockets.

The early recruiting period (Nov. 14-21, 2018) netted no signings. In this the ’Bows were alone in the nine-member Big West Conference.

And the regular signing period that began April 17 has produced just one, Junior Madut, a 6-foot, 5-inch guard from Eastern Florida junior college, whose written commitment was announced on the first day.

The ’Bows have former Kahuku High point guard Jessiya Villa coming off a two-year church mission and all-state player Kameron Ng of St. Francis coming in as an invited walk-on.

Other than that, it has been radio silence on the recruiting front in Manoa.

While that is becoming a mounting concern to fans, who are seeking something to look forward to for the 2019-20 season, we aren’t quite at the desperation point. Yet.

For one thing, international players and graduate transfers can, sometimes, take longer and financial aid agreements can still be signed after the recruiting period. Witness 2016 when the ’Bows announced the additions of Zigmars Raimo and graduate transfer Noah Allen on May 10.

A bigger factor is the debut of the NCAA transfer portal seven months ago, which has provided coaches more late-season options than ever before.

The website, which is open to and viewable to just players, coaches and administrators, has become a one-stop recruiting bazaar in football and basketball. For players, it is a place to advertise their availability at any time. For coaches, it can be a godsend when scurrying to fill out their recruiting lists or late-developing holes.

Which brings us to the ’Bows who have sizable pukas to fill left by the departures of seniors Jack Purchase, Brocke Stepteau and Sheriff Drammeh. Collectively, they accounted for nearly 40 percent of UH’s scoring for the season and much of the leadership.

Then, add in the transfers of Leland Green and Brandon Thomas, who had been eligible to return for the coming season, and there are rosters spots to fill.

For the ’Bows, there is a definite urgency to restocking the shelves. After a fourth-place finish in the Big West and three consecutive one-and-outs in the conference tournament, this is about more than just adding bodies. There is also the necessity of closing the gap on UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara if the ’Bows are to truly contend for a championship and return to the NCAA Tournament.

As if there wasn’t already a premium on long-range shooters with the departure of Purchase and Stepteau, the likelihood of the NCAA adopting a new, deeper 3-point arc for this season should make it a point of emphasis. The proposal is to take it from the current 20 feet, 9 inches feet to 22-1¾, the same distance as international play and the WNBA.

So, it isn’t time to panic about men’s basketball, yet. But check back in a couple of weeks.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.