The sturdily built Christensen, of Spokane Valley, Wash., helps fill a dire need in the paint for the Rainbow Warriors. UH lost starting center Bernardo da Silva and starting power forward Justin McKoy to eligibility. Backup center Mor Seck announced over the weekend his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

The portal taketh away, but it also giveth. Christensen, who started his Division I career at Idaho, decided on Utah Tech heading into the 2022-23 season when Hawaii was among the other schools recruiting him.

In a phone interview, Christensen credited Johnson – who after his playing days spent an additional three years as a staff member under Ganot – for helping make it happen through the portal this time around.

“He was a big help in facilitating things,” Christensen said. “He vouched for the coaching staff at Hawaii, so that was nice.”

Christensen started all 63 games he played in two years at Utah Tech. On a per-game basis, he was second on the team in scoring (11.5), first in rebounds (6.8), first in blocks (1.5) and second in assists (2.0). He shot 56.4% from the field and 60% from the foul line. He made six 3s on 34 attempts (17.6%).

The 24-year-old hopes to lend his life and basketball experience to a UH roster that lost its top six scorers from the 2023-24 season. Christensen took a two-year church mission earlier in his career and has been married for 2 ½ years.

“I’m sure that the coaching staff’s going to bring in a bunch of older guys too,” he said.

Christensen was prepared to begin his pro career after the season, Johnson said, but was convinced to give the portal another try.

“I just wanted to go somewhere that can win some games and compete for a conference tournament title and try to make the NCAA Tournament,” Christensen said. “Those were kind of the main things for me.”

UH’s back-to-back 20-win seasons were a draw, even without postseason appearances, for a player who was a centerpiece for a transitional D-I program that went 14-19 and 11-20 in his two seasons in St. George.

Johnson said he was “very highly sought after. We had a plethora of high majors calling us and showing interest, major interest in him.”

Johnson was UH’s director of player development when UH, led by associate head coach John Montgomery, was a suitor for Christensen the last time around. But around that time, the 7-foot-1 Seck committed to UH from the Prolific Prep (Calif.) Academy, essentially filling the opening.

Johnson called Christensen the “best back-to-the-basket scorer” in the Western Athletic Conference. He often demanded double teams and Utah Tech frequently played through him, counting on him to make the right read out of the post, be it a shot or pass. He is capable of hitting the occasional 3-pointer.

“A smaller big man he takes advantage of with his size and strength, and bigger big men he has the skill and finesse to finish around them. He’ll get a lot more dunks for the ‘Bows than I ever did,” Johnson said.

“He was awesome to work with every day. I’ll miss working with him.”

Christensen played alongside former UH forward Beon Riley, who transferred out of Manoa after the 2022-23 season. Riley was Utah Tech’s third-leading scorer by average (10.7).

Christensen is the first known player to commit to UH this spring. UH signed two players, guard Aaron Hunkin-Claytor and wing AJ Economou, in the fall. Ganot is believed to have five scholarships still available.

Christensen said he planned to sign during the regular National Letter of Intent period, which begins April 17, and travel out to Hawaii in mid-June. Ganot, who was announced Monday as a recipient of the Coaches Versus Center Champion Award, cannot comment on Christensen until he is officially signed.