STAR-BULLETIN / FEBRUARY 2004 Julian Sensley

Sensley’s time to
shine is here

After a season learning from
the veterans, the Kalaheo alum
is ready to step forward
and lead the Rainbows

RENO, Nev. » There are those, who, if challenged the way Julian Sensley has been challenged, would say, "What more do you want?"

And if they had his credentials, it would be hard to blame them.

MIDNIGHT OHANA What: First official basketball practice for Hawaii's men and women. Where: Stan Sheriff Center When: Tonight Admission: Free Schedule: Carnival, 8-11 p.m.; concert by Infusion, 9-11 p.m.; introduction of teams, midnight; 3-point and slam-dunk contests, 12:15 a.m.; women's scrimmage, 12:30 a.m.; men's scrimmage, 12:50 a.m

Taking his sophomore season as a body of work, the 6-foot-9 junior forward was the most complete player on the Hawaii basketball team last year. He was second on the team in scoring, assists and blocks, and led the Rainbows in rebounding and steals while starting all 33 games.

But UH coach Riley Wallace looks closer, at detail. And he wants more. He wants consistent excellence from Sensley. He wants his only returning starter, to "turn up his enthusiasm level and his work."

"He's got to get some tough boards, some putbacks, increase his scoring average," Wallace said. "He has that ability to take over a game. He's 6-9, 235, he can run the floor, he's long, very unselfish. He's got to take it to another level now."

The good thing is Sensley wants the same thing. He was just waiting his turn.

"With all the veterans (last year), I just kind of stepped back and learned from them. Right now, I'm the only returning starter, so I take it upon myself not to let my team down," Sensley said yesterday at the Western Athletic Conference basketball media preview. "I want to become a more consistent player all around, become amore consistent shooter. Get stronger so I can get more rebounds. Me and (forward) Jeff Blackett have been spending a lot of time in the weight room together."

When the Rainbows open practice tomorrow, it's the real beginning of the Julian Sensley Era. He was a role player last season, but now it's his time to shine. He said the vibe is not quite the same.

"In a way it does seem different because everybody was so close. Phil (Martin) and Haim (Shimonovich) were here four or five years. They were kind of like the big brothers to everybody and they knew what to expect," he said.

The brotherhood theme is a strong one in Sensley's life, whether it be his teammates, his biological brother, Max, a freshman at Kalaheo High School, or his foster brother and best friend growing up in Kailua, Matthew Pyne, a U.S. Army soldier fighting in Iraq.

"My mom and my brothers are the only family I really have. It's really important for me to make something out of myself and make them happy," Sensley said.

Some UH basketball fans still can't believe Sensley ended up with the Rainbows. It seemed such a long shot.

When he starred at Kalaheo High School, there was never any doubting of his talent. He might be the most gifted front-line player to ever play basketball at a Hawaii high school. But Sensley didn't meet NCAA qualifying standards, even after graduating from St. Thomas More School, a Connecticut prep school, in 2001.

For two years, it seemed every week brought a different story about Sensley's basketball future. At various times he was linked with Iona, California and San Francisco before attending Fresno State for a semester. He even toyed with entering the NBA Draft without playing in college. Finally, Sensley landed at Los Angeles City College, where he dominated junior college competition, and then transferred to UH last year.

"I was 17, 18 coming out of high school, and I had a lot of hype coming behind me. What comes with that is a lot of people thinking they know what's best for you. I kind of went with the flow. It was my decision, but I think a lot of the time I was just listening to the wrong people. So now, I just work out what's best for me instead of trying to please other people," Sensley said.

"Every school basically promised they could get me eligible. I went from the Pac-10 to the small conferences like the MAC to the WAC," he said. "I definitely think I grew up. You learn from those things."

As for the NBA, Sensley doesn't rule out entering the draft after this season if he has a good year.

"Every basketball player has had dreams and aspirations of going on to play in the NBA. I kind of take it a step at a time. In high school you worry about getting a scholarship for college. Now that I'm here, I'm just worried about winning the WAC and getting in the Big Dance. Maybe when that's over, if I'm good enough to go ... I'll take a shot at it," Sensley said. "I'm happy where I'm at. I get to play in front of people who watched me grow up. It's always good to come home to represent your state. Just because I never thought this would happen."