Shimonovich, Haim

A 6'10" senior starting center at the University of Hawaii in 2003-04, Shimonovich was one of the best rebounders in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference). Hawaii head coach Riley Wallace said of the native Israeli, "Haim is big, strong and physical. He played against great competition." The Rainbow Warriors finished the regular season with a record of 19-10 (11-7, fifth place in the conference). Haim was fourth on the team in points (7.0) second in rebounds (6.9), fourth in assists (1.9), fifth in steals (0.8), and first in blocks (1.3). In the NIT, Shimonovich led Hawaii to the quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual tournament champion, Michigan.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Oct. 11, 1979

Career Highlights:
Born in Israel, Shimonovich played for Maccabi Rishon LeZion as an amateur before playing college ball at Hawaii. Because he had played in a professional league, however, Haim had to sit out the first 22 games of his freshman season in 2000-01. He appeared in eight games that season and Hawaii finished fourth in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference) with a record of 11-8 (17-13 overall). The Rainbow Warriors then proceeded to win the conference tournament and received a bid to the NCAA tournament. Hawaii was ranked the No. 12 seed in the Midwest Region, and lost to No. 5 Syracuse in the first round.

In 2001-02, Shimonovich played the entire season and was one of only three Hawaii players to appear in all 33 games. Named Most Outstanding Player of the Rainbow Classic, Haim was a force in WAC play and finished the season ranked third in the conference with 62 blocks (50th in the nation). He was also in the top ten in rebounding (eighth with 6.6 per game) and assists-to-turnover ratio (seventh with 1.79). Shimonovich finished the year with 7.1 points per game. That year, Hawaii compiled a 27-6 record and won the regular season WAC championship, the WAC Tournament, and another trip to the NCAA, but the Rainbow Warriors lost to Xavier in the first round of the tournament.

During the 2002-03 regular season, Haim led the team in rebounding with 7.0 per game (seventh in the conference), was fourth on the team in scoring (7.7 points per game), and second in assists (2.7). The Rainbow Warriors finished the year with a record of 19-11 (9-9, sixth place in the Western Athletic Conference). They played in the NIT (National Invitational Tournament) and defeated UNLV (University of Nevada-Las Vegas) in the first round, 85-68. Shimonovich scored six points, grabbed four rebounds, and added three assists in the game. In the second round against Minnesota, they lost, 84-7. Haim scored one point, grabbed four rebounds, and added one assist.

Origin:
Rishon LeZion, Israel

Career Dates:
Shimonovich plays for Hawaii, 2000-present.

Physical description:
6'10", 265 pounds

< Previous |  Next >