A dynamic playmaker from one of the top NCAA Division II programs is joining the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team.

Jaden “Shloop” Matingou, a point guard from Point Loma Nazarene University, agreed to a commitment contract and will join the Rainbow Warriors in June. Matingou has two years to play one UH season.

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Matingou told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser his decision was based on “my relationship with the coaching staff. Since they’ve been recruiting me, they showed they care about me as a person and a player. I also like the winning tradition and culture there. I loved everything they talked about, how it’s a real family and the ohana there. I’m excited and blessed to be a part of it.”

Matingou is 6 feet 3 and 175 pounds with a vertical jump of 41 1/2 inches.

He was named to the All-Pac West first team after leading the league with 4.3 assists per game. His assists-to-turnover average was plus-1.5. Matingou averaged 11.9 points on 49.2% shooting, including 36.4% on 3s. The past February, he scored 27 points against Hawaii Pacific University.

This year, Point Loma won the Pac West’s regular season and tournament titles. The Sea Lions reached the West Region finals for the fourth consecutive season.

UH assistant coach Rob Jones and pro basketball player James Nunnally, whom Matingou considers as a mentor, are friends.

“And that’s how we got in contact,” Matingou said. “The more I learned about the program, the more I fell in love with it. I realized it was going to be the right fit for me.”

He also received offers from Oregon State and Colorado State.

Matingou was a 5-9 sophomore St. Augustine High School when he first dunked. The next two years, he grew six inches.

“That (growth spurt) plus my vertical (jump), I can do some pretty cool dunks,” he said.

He also earned his nickname from his parents.

“I’ve had that since I was a young kid,” he said. “My parents came up with that because of how fast I am. They said I would just shloop around the court. It actually stuck with me. My teammates call me ‘Shloop’ or ‘J-Shloop.’”

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki showed some improvement in LA’s series finale against the Texas Rangers.

He finished the game with a final line of four innings pitched, five hits, two earned runs, five walks and six strikeouts—setting a career high.

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Sasaki allowed two runners before recording an out, but shut the Rangers down afterwards. He struck out three consecutive batters in the top of the first after allowing two baserunners, marking the first time he has recorded three strikeouts in an inning this season.

The right-hander also worked out of trouble in the second inning after a leadoff walk and a double, but managed to work his way out of trouble with two pop outs into foul ground as well as his fourth strikeout of the game.

Rangers outfielder Evan Carter got the Rangers on the board with a solo homer in the top of the third, and Sasaki allowed another run later in the inning after allowing a Josh Smith single with two runners aboard. He loaded the bases with a walk afterwards, but navigated himself out of the jam.

Sasaki’s fourth inning went the smoothest of the bunch, as he allowed just one baserunner with a leadoff walk. He set a career high in strikeouts with his sixth in the fourth.

Apr 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) reacts after his last pitch thrown during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

How Has Roki Sasaki Pitched in 2026?

Sasaki has had an odd 2026 season, with the results in his first two starts sitting on opposite ends of the spectrum.

His first start of the season went well, with the right-hander allowing just one run through four innings of play against the Cleveland Guardians, though he received a loss on the outing.

Sasaki’s second outing this year went much worse, seeing him allow six runs through five innings on five hits and three walks.

On the season, Sasaki has a 6.23 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched.

When Will Sasaki Start Next?

After their series against the Rangers, the Dodgers have a three game series against the New York Mets at home followed by a four-game road series against the Colorado Rockies. Sasaki will likely start in the latter of the two in one of the final games.

Before that, though, the Dodgers have business to take care of against the Mets, who they’ve had a number of significant clashes with over the last couple of seasons. This Mets team doesn’t quite look the same, though, as they’ve lost five straight and just suffered a sweep at home against the Athletics.

The first game of that series comes Monday at 7:10 p.m. PT.

What did you think of Roki Sasaki’s outing?

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