On one hand, you've got the player Hawaii basketball coaches and fans hope can bring the Rainbow Warriors back to their glory days. On the other, three eager freshmen desire to chip in any way they can.

One of the biggest challenges for the Rainbows this season might be bridging the gap between its more seasoned wing players and its novices on the perimeter.

Junior college transfer Roderick Flemings has shown in practice flashes that he can live up to the hype surrounding his arrival from Weatherford (Texas) JC, where he picked up first-team All-America honors.

Meanwhile, redshirt freshmen Conrad Fitzgerald and Beau Albrechtson have displayed a willingness to learn and contribute. True freshman Adam Jespersen, of Ontario, Canada, arrived somewhat familiar with the team's flex-motion offense because his team ran a similar one at H.B. Beal Secondary School.

Versatile returnee Adhar Mayen earned spot duty off the bench last year and falls somewhere between the two categories after working hard in the offseason.

The divide between experienced and not might have lessened when Flemings sprained his ankle in the team's first open gym, then missed more than a week recently to be home in Dallas for his grandfather's funeral. It resulted in more looks in practice and in two exhibitions for the fresh faces.

But Flemings, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound junior, has looked spry and pain-free in the practices since his return on Sunday. He punctuated his recent arrival with an emphatic dunk in traffic in halfcourt drills Monday.

“;My ankle feels a little better right now,”; said Flemings, who averaged 20.7 points and 11.7 rebounds at Weatherford. “;I mean, I'm a little winded—I ain't been working out or nothing (on the mainland) ... but I'm learning the plays, getting to know the team better.”;

Now it's a matter of getting Flemings up to speed for Friday's opener against San Francisco, then against Cal State Fullerton on Sunday and Idaho State on Monday to complete a three-games-in-four-days span.

If coach Bob Nash was worried at the prospect, he didn't show it.

“;I think Rod is really quick at picking up the offense,”; Nash said. “;He has a very high basketball IQ, he understands what we're looking for. He's just going to keep getting better and better as the injury goes away and he learns a little bit more of the timing of our offense. A good passer looks to get his teammates involved. Sometimes too unselfishly, if there's such a thing on offense.”;

Mayen, a junior, filled in effectively at small forward during the exhibitions against Hawaii-Hilo and Chaminade.

A taller lineup of Flemings at shooting guard and the 6-8 Mayen at the 3 is a possibility. The latter should usually enjoy a height advantage over opponents on the perimeter, and has shown the ability to hit 3-pointers.

“;(I use my height) to see over defenders, to see where the passes are,”; Mayen said. “;Shoot over defenders, look to see different angles so someone can finish and take it to the hole.”;

Fitzgerald, like Flemings, is an explosive slasher, but he recently suffered a fractured nose at practice. Fitzgerald went through his first activities with a face mask on Monday, and didn't seem too inhibited. He plays above the rim and can hit shots from distance, but must work on his decision-making. Still, he could contend for minutes off the bench.

“;He's got a lot of athleticism—he's just gotta learn what Division I basketball is all about. But he's come a long way,”; said assistant Jackson Wheeler.

Jespersen, at 6-7, has a smooth jump shot and a reasonable grasp of the offense. His position is flexible, but the coaches just need him to improve his lateral movement on defense.

Walk-on Albrechtson returns as the only Hawaii native on the roster. He brings boundless energy to practices and is often the first player in for any drill. He continues to adjust to a role on the perimeter—handling the ball and taking outside shots—after playing the post for Kaimuki High.

“;Not a lot of people from Hawaii make it on D-I teams, so I kind of want to work hard and be that role model to little kids,”; Albrechtson said.

Adams cleared

The Warriors got some good news yesterday.

Newcomer Brandon Adams was cleared by an academic committee to play this season, The forward will be ready to go in time for Friday's season opener against San Francisco.

The JC transfer from Diablo Valley College (Calif.) was awaiting clearance because he initially was slated for a redshirt year.