1998 Mr. Basketball: Kirk Uejio
Currently the Student Activities Director at his alma mater, Kirk Uejio (Iolani ‘98) was named the 1998 Hawaii State Player of the Year in basketball after helping the Raiders win their third state championship (overall) in his senior season.
Though his numbers weren’t gaudy, Uejio was the unquestionable leader of a talented Iolani squad which featured 6-4 twins Cord and Brad Anderson as well as 6-7 center Shawn Christensen. With the ball in his hands, Uejio commanded the court, organizing and directing teammates each time down the floor like a general in the armed forces…
From the Star Bulletin:
When the situation required him to hurl his body into the bleachers in pursuit of a loose ball, he did it… If it required a pickpocket steal, he got it done… If it meant hitting the 3-pointer when the whole season hinged on it - as it did in the last minute of regulation in the state championship against Kalaheo - he hit it…
Star Bulletin article, 1998 Mr. Basketball »
After high school, Uejio went on to play at Division III Claremont McKenna College, but cut his career short to focus on school and explore opportunites to study abroad, a decision that allowed him to live in a remote village in Kenya for an extended time.
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