Rainbow Warriors Add All-PacWest Guard Jaden Mantigou

By Kennedy Choo

Fresh off a new contract, Head Coach Eran Ganot and his staff are already making moves on the recruiting trail, landing two commitments in as many days, the latest coming from former Division II point guard Jaden Mantigou.

Mantigou is familiar with the islands, having competed in the PacWest Conference with annual trips to Chaminade, Hawai‘i Pacific and UH Hilo.

“Being in Hawai‘i is really special, it’s something I look forward to every season,” Mantigou said. “I feel very blessed and honored to be able to be out here for a full year and play for the people of the islands.”

The 6-foot-3 guard earned All-PacWest First Team honors, averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while starting all 32 games for the Sea Lions.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Mantigou now makes the jump to Division I, looking to translate his production and prove himself at the next level with the Rainbow Warriors.

“I feel like I’ve proven myself as one of the better guards in the country at the Division II level,” Mantigou said. “A lot of people who don’t know college basketball hear Division II and think it’s lesser, so it’s given me motivation to prove people wrong.”

Mantigou says assistant coach Rob Jones reached out to him in the portal, with a connection to Mantigou’s mentor James Nunnally helping spark the relationship.

“The relationship helped spark our relationship. Coach Rob has been great to me throughout the whole process,” Mantigou said. “The things he spoke of, the standard of excellence at Hawai‘i and the community support, those are all things you want as a player.”

Known for his athletic ability, Mantigou hopes to give fans at the Stan Sheriff Center a show next season.

“An easy way to describe my game is kind of like a Russell Westbrook vibe,” Mantigou said. “I feel like I match a lot of his intensity and fire to my game. He was my favorite player growing up.”

Now at the Division I level, Mantigou arrives in Mānoa with something to prove and a chance to show his game translates on a bigger stage.

“I’ve been waiting three years for this opportunity, and with one year left in my college career, I’m going to leave it all on the court.”