​The University of Hawaii men’s basketball program has landed a versatile talent with more tools than a Swiss Army knife. Alois Leyrolles, who calls Fribourg, Switzerland home, has given a written commitment to join the Rainbow Warriors for the upcoming season. With the final steps of his student visa still underway, Leyrolles is optimistic about joining UH for summer workouts as early as next week.
“It’s an amazing place,” Leyrolles said, explaining why he chose the ’Bows. “What they offer on the court and in terms of my development was very clear.” He noted that he drew interest from other NCAA programs and European teams, but the prospect of playing for Hawaii felt decisive. “It became evident that I would join the ’Bows, and I paused recruitment with everyone else—even back in Europe,” he added.
Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, Leyrolles brings a rare blend of size and guard-like skills. He has international experience at multiple positions, capable of playing point guard through forward. UH assistant coach John Montgomery highlighted Leyrolles’s high basketball IQ, his ability to read and attack off ball screens, his defensive versatility, and his shooting range, including nearly 40 percent from three-point range. Montgomery also noted his capability to defend multiple positions and his overall physical fit for UH’s system.
Last season, after competing with Switzerland’s senior national team, Leyrolles played for Fribourg Olympic in the Swiss Basketball League. In 31 games, he averaged 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. Leyrolles first fell in love with basketball at a very young age; he was only three when he began playing, inspired by his father, who is a basketball coach. “I was always in the gym watching everyone play, and I wanted to do the same,” Leyrolles recalled. “I always had a ball in my hand.”
Born in France, Leyrolles moved to Switzerland when his father secured a coaching job there. He earned Swiss nationality at 16 and holds dual citizenship with France and Switzerland. His early development included a standout growth spurt that shaped his trajectory as a player. He recalls a remarkable 11-inch increase in height from age 17 to 6 feet 6 inches over an 18-month period, an upgrade that he initially found surprising, even uncomfortable. “I couldn’t fit the shoes,” he laughed, describing how rapidly his body changed. He credits his mother for much of his height, noting that she stands close to six feet herself, and says the family’s overall growth helped him adapt to the demands of the sport at a higher level.
Despite the growth, Leyrolles preserves his guard instincts. He spent time as a point guard with the Swiss national team and continues to value ball-handling and playmaking as a core part of his repertoire. “It was an incredible experience to represent my country at 20, under the bright lights and in front of large crowds,” he said. Leyrolles emphasized that he hopes to bring a similar sense of pride to Hawaii, where he wants to represent the state and the island with distinction. “I want to make people proud of us. It’s a win-win situation,” he added, underscoring his commitment to contributing to UH both on and off the court.
For UH, the addition of Leyrolles signals a strategic blend of length, versatility, and a refined skill set. His ability to guard multiple positions, handle the ball, create offense, and knock down shots from beyond the arc should give Hawaii a flexible lineup that can adapt to various opponents and styles. As he completes the visa process and ramps up for next season’s preparations, Leyrolles is poised to bring a global perspective, a strong work ethic, and a passion for representing his team and country at the college level.