Leroy Lutu Jr. can rattle off his father's accomplishments while barely pausing to think. All-State honors and a championship at University High. Rose Bowl victories as a tight end at Washington. An injury-shortened career in the NFL.

Lutu Jr. couldn't imagine a better—or more challenging—place to become his own man than in the home state of his old man, Leroy Lutu.

Those who know the freshman walk-on for the Hawaii men's basketball team realize he's doing just that. It's evident in the 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard's earning of playing time in the early stages of his career as a Rainbow Warrior.

But it's also symbolized by his tacking of “;Jr.”; on the end of his name upon his arrival in the islands, something he never did while he lived at home in Mercer Island, Wash.

Leroy Lutu Sr. and wife, Molly, will have their first chance to see their son play live in college starting today in the first round of the 45th Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic. They intend to stay through the first two games of the Western Athletic Conference season next month.

“;We miss watching him play—we saw him every time, every game (in Washington),”; said Lutu Sr., who stayed on the mainland permanently after college.

Lutu Jr. was a two-sport athlete (basketball and football) in high school, just like his father. But while the elder Lutu pursued football in college on the mainland, his son followed a passion for the court back to his father's homeland.

He feels he's making his father proud in doing so.

“;I think so,”; said Lutu Jr., who operates as a combo guard for UH. “;I set my goals pretty high when I came here and I wanna continue to be a lot better and kind of pad the Lutu name that's out here.

“;When people hear the name 'Lutu,' it rings a lot of bells and they think of my dad and what he accomplished. I just want to come and kind of do my own thing as well. Maybe just become 'Lutu Jr.,' kind of get out of the shadows of my dad.”;

Lutu Sr. was part of a Junior Rainbows team in high school that went toe-to-toe with mighty Punahou (including President-elect Barack Obama) on a regular basis in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in the late '70s. He even helped UHS win the 1978 state championship over the Buffanblu, 65-63 in overtime.

“;Our whole starting five could dunk,”; said Leroy Lutu Sr., who was 6-4 and a powerful post presence. “;People would come watch us just for that.”;

Leroy Jr. was no slouch at Mercer Island High, either. He averaged 18.5 points. 7.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists en route to league MVP honors as a senior.

He forsook football (for which he drew more recruiting attention) his senior year in order to focus all of his efforts toward the sport he loved the most, the sport he could finally best his father in (H-O-R-S-E, anyway, if not 1-on-1). Though he didn't net scholarship offers in hoops, he was invited to walk on at three places: Loyola Marymount, Navy and Hawaii.

Because of his rich family history and numerous relatives here, the choice was a no-brainer.

“;New people I'm still meeting today in Hawaii (will say) 'Hey Lutu, I'm your cousin or uncle or auntie,' or something like that,”; Leroy Jr. said. “;It's really great to—being so far away from home—have family here. It makes me feel a little bit closer to home.”;

Father and son recently had a heart-to-heart discussion on the subject of the Lutu legacy in Hawaii.

“;I just told Leroy, I do have a name back there,”; Lutu Sr. said. “;But I said, 'Look, just go out and prove yourself and make them forget about me. Just go out, write your own ticket. Hawaii's always been good to their athletes and they love their sports.'”;

Lutu Jr. has averaged only 4.3 minutes per game, but has appeared in each of nine contests for 6-3 Hawaii. He always receives some cheers when he checks in.

One thing the young Lutu never lacked—to which his father and coaches can attest—is competitiveness, bred from self-confidence.

Assistant coach Eran Ganot, who works with the guards, noted how Lutu keeps his poise in big-game situations. That, in turn, gives the coaches confidence to insert him during tough spots.

“;I think one thing is you can put him in the game because of his understanding; another thing is he doesn't have much fear. He's not afraid of a moment, of playing in front of a big crowd,”; Ganot said. “;He's got some swagger to him, maybe too much. He believes in himself, which is a great trait. Some of the times where he has made some mistakes he was too overconfident.”;

Head coach Bob Nash has no regrets about inviting Lutu to play at Hawaii and appreciates what the freshman guard is trying to forge beyond his father's footsteps.