HONOLULU - University of Hawai`i men's basketball head coach Riley Wallace announced the signing of Alex Veit of Monterey Peninsula College for the 2006-07 season on Thursday. Veit is the first recruit to sign his National Letter of Intent with UH during the early signing period.

Veit, a 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward from Salem, Ore., is currently in his second season with Monterey Peninsula. Last season, Veit averaged nearly 10 points and six rebounds per game for the Lobos.

"He's a very athletic player who plays above the rim," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "He has good range for a frontline player and will help us in that position. Alex is from the Pacific Northwest and we've had success with players from that area. He's comes from the same high school as (former UH guard) Michael Kuebler."

As a senior at South Salem High School, Veit led his team to the championship round of the Oregon state 4A tournament in 2004. That year he was selected to the All-Valley League third team.

The 'Bows have five seniors to replace for next season including frontcourt players Julian Sensley, Matthew Gipson, Chris Botez, and Milos Zivanovic.

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