It makes perfect sense to Ken Wagner.

The Brigham Young-Hawaii head basketball coach understands why Walter Roese, a former player and volunteer assistant under Wagner at BYUH, was picked by new Hawaii coach Gib Arnold to serve as his associate head coach.

“;Well, as far as contacts in South America, you don't have anyone better,”; Wagner said of Roese, a native of Brazil who is currently an assistant at Nebraska. “;He's been working with the Brazilian (junior) national team the last couple of years. And he's a great person. He loves Hawaii and I'm sure he'll help UH get some great players. ... They've been successful when they've had foreign teams.”;

Arnold hasn't yet commented, as the hire hasn't been officially confirmed yet by UH.

While the Rainbows so far expect to add two California high school players to their arsenal for 2010-11, Roese could help add the international recruiting base that was the strength of UH teams from years past.

Roese was in South America this week to coach the Brazilian junior national team and couldn't be reached for comment.

Roese completed his college career at BYUH in the early 1990s after stints at Houston and West Texas A&M. But he tore an ACL in his first game as a Seasider, Wagner said, and couldn't fulfill his playing potential.

However, it was apparent to Wagner that Roese had the mind and demeanor of a coach — despite less-than-fluent English at the time. Today, Roese speaks three languages fluently — English, Spanish and Portuguese.

“;He was just an awfully smart player,”; Wagner said. “;A 6-5 point guard. He was like a coach on the court. (I could see him coaching) because he understood the game.”;

Roese became a volunteer assistant there after his playing days, and about 10 years later became the first Brazilian to earn a Division I assistant coaching job, at BYU-Provo.

“;(BYU) asked me if he had the contacts in Brazil, and I said, 'He does,'”; Wagner said.

Perhaps his most notable recruit was Rafael Araujo, a three-year NBA player whom he helped steer to Provo.

One of Wagner's assistants, Brandyn Akana, is said to be in line for one of Arnold's other two assistant coaching positions.

Arnold, however, is still interviewing more candidates at the Final Four in Indianapolis.

Flemings in Portsmouth

UH forward Roderick Flemings, who finished his Rainbow Warriors career just shy of 1,000 points over two seasons, will play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament for 64 elite college seniors.

The four-day tournament running Wednesday through Saturday in Portsmouth, Va., will be seen by scouts from across the NBA. A solid showing could help Flemings' outside chances to be drafted this summer.

The Western Athletic Conference will be represented by two other players: Louisiana Tech's Kyle Gibson and Fresno State's Sylvester Seay.