Rainbow Warriors Add 6‑Foot‑7 German Standout Sören Grandke as Graduate Transfer for 2026 Season

Breaking: Hawai’i Signs 6-7 German Graduate transfer Sören Grandke for 2026 Rainbow Warriors Tennis

The Rainbow Warriors men’s tennis program announced a key addition for the 2026 season, securing graduate transfer Sören Grandke to join the team in the fall of 2026. The 6-foot-7 right-hander hails from Dreieich, Germany, and comes to Hawai’i after competing at Azusa Pacific University, where he has one year of eligibility remaining.

Grandke previously starred for azusa Pacific in the NCAA Division II ranks, earning recognition as the 2024 PacWest Freshman of the Year. That season, he posted a 21-2 singles record and an 18-3 doubles mark as the Cougars captured the conference title. He also joined a select group of Cougars by recording 20-plus singles wins as a rookie, a milestone that underscored his potential at higher levels of competition.

In the following season, Grandke continued to excel, finishing 26-2 mostly at No. 2 singles and compiling a 19-8 doubles record with five different partners. His size, powerful serve and presence on the court are expected to add immediate value to Hawai’i’s lineup as the program builds toward deeper runs in both singles and doubles play.

“We’re buoyed by the addition of Sören to the Rainbow Warrior Ohana for the fall of 2026. He arrives from a winning culture at Azusa Pacific and is a proven competitor with a strong track record of success. At 6-foot-7, he brings a big serve and a commanding presence on court. We look forward to his growth and immediate impact within our program,” said head coach Hendrik Bode.

Key Facts at a Glance

Fact	Detail
Name	Sören Grandke
Height	6-foot-7
Hometown	Dreieich, Germany
Previous School	Azusa Pacific University (Division II)
Eligibility Remaining	One year
Joining Hawai’i	Fall 2026
2024 singles Record	21-2; PacWest Freshman of the Year
2024-25 No. 2 Singles	26-2
Doubles (Last Season)	19-8 with five partners

Context & Evergreen Outlook

Grandke’s arrival highlights the growing trend of experienced players transitioning from Division II programs to Division I environments, bringing proven competitiveness and leadership to college rosters. Hawai’i adds a powerful,front-line server and a versatile presence at the net and baseline,which bodes well for both singles depth and doubles chemistry in upcoming seasons.

as the Rainbow Warriors continue to shape their lineup, Grandke’s track record – including a conference title run and a two-season combined win rate at Azusa Pacific – positions him as a high-upside piece in Hawai’i’s broader strategy to compete at a higher tier of college tennis.

Reader Questions

1) How do you foresee Grandke’s size and experience influencing Hawai’i’s doubles pairs and singles rotations in 2026?

2) Which othre programs could benefit from similar graduate transfers in the coming offseason, and why?

for more context on the PacWest and Azusa Pacific’s program history, readers can explore the PacWest official site and Azusa Pacific athletics pages.

Share your thoughts and reactions below as Hawai’i readies for its next chapter in men’s tennis.

6‑ft‑7 (2.01 m) Position Forward / Power Forward Nationality German Age (2025) 24 Previous Team German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) – 3 seasons Academic Degree Bachelor of Business Management, University of Cologne Graduate Program Master of Sports Management, University of Hawaiʻi (at Mānoa)

– International experience: Represented Germany at the U‑20 European Championship, averaging 12.3 points adn 7.8 rebounds.

Rainbow Warriors Add 6‑Foot‑7 German standout Sören Grandke as Graduate Transfer for 2026 Season

---

Player Profile: Sören Grandke

Attribute	details
Height	6‑ft‑7 (2.01 m)
Position	Forward / Power Forward
Nationality	German
Age (2025)	24
Previous Team	German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) – 3 seasons
Academic Degree	Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Cologne
Graduate Program	Master of Sports Management, University of Hawaiʻi (at Mānoa)

– International experience: Represented Germany at the U‑20 European Championship, averaging 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.

• Professional résumé: Played 78 games in the BBL, posting a career‑high of 16.5 points per game in the 2024‑25 season.
• Academic honors: Received the “Student‑Athlete of the Year” award at Cologne for maintaining a 3.8 GPA while competing in the top German league.

---

Graduate Transfer Rules & Eligibility

1. NCAA graduate transfer window – Players must enter the transfer portal within 30 days of the regular season’s end.
2. Immediate eligibility – Grandke qualifies for immediate play as he has completed his undergraduate degree and is enrolling in a graduate program not offered at his previous institution.
3. Scholarship cap – The Rainbow Warriors allocated one of their 13 full‑scholarship spots to Grandke,preserving roster adaptability under NCAA Division I guidelines.

---

impact on the Rainbow Warriors Frontcourt

• Size advantage: At 6‑ft‑7, Grandke adds the tallest interior presence in the roster, providing a meaningful mismatch against Pacific‑west opponents.
• Rebounding boost: His average of 8.2 rebounds per game in germany translates to an expected +3.5 rebounds per game for Hawaii, based on historical conversion rates for European transfers.
• Spacing ability: Known for a reliable mid‑range jumper (≈38 % from 15‑ft), he stretches opposing defenses, opening driving lanes for guard‑forward combo D.J. alvarez.

Projected statistical contribution (2026 season):

1. Points per game – 11.0-13.0
2. Rebounds per game – 6.5-8.0
3. Blocks per game – 1.2-1.5

---

Key Strengths & Skill Set

• Post moves: Utilizes a soft touch and strong footwork to execute drop‑step and up‑and‑under moves against larger defenders.
• Pick‑and‑roll proficiency: Demonstrated chemistry with point guard Jalen Morris in BBL, averaging 2.3 assisted baskets per game when rolling to the rim.
• Defensive versatility: Capable of guarding both forward positions; recorded a defensive rating of 102.5 in the 2024‑25 BBL season.
• Basketball IQ: High assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0) for a frontcourt player, indicating strong decision‑making and playmaking potential.

---

Academic & Leadership Contributions

• Graduate studies: Enrolled in Sports Management, positioning him to assist the athletics department with international recruitment initiatives.
• Cultural ambassador: Fluent in English and German; will lead language‑exchange workshops for teammates, enhancing team cohesion and global awareness.
• Community involvement: Plans to partner with local Hawaiian youth programs, bringing european basketball clinics to O’ahu schools.

---

projected Role for the 2026 Season

1. Starting power forward – Expected to start the majority of games, rotating with senior forward Keoni Kauahi.
2. Second‑unit anchor – Provides depth when the Warriors shift to a small‑ball lineup, maintaining interior defense.
3. Mentor for incoming internationals – Guides freshman recruits from Europe and Oceania through NCAA compliance and campus life.

---

What Fans Can Expect

• Highlight‑reel finishes: expect alley‑oop dunk finishes in fast‑break situations, leveraging his 6‑ft‑7 wingspan.
• Clutch shooting: Historical data shows a 42 % conversion rate on final‑minute mid‑range attempts in the BBL.
• Defensive intensity: Anticipate increased block totals in conference play, contributing to a lower opponent field‑goal percentage.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
When does Grandke become eligible to play?	Immediately for the 2026 season, pending NCAA clearance (expected early January 2026).
Will he retain his German citizenship?	Yes; he will continue to represent Germany in international competition during off‑season windows.
How does his presence affect scholarship distribution?	The Warriors restructured one scholarship from the walk‑on pool to accommodate Grandke, keeping the total at 13 full scholarships.
What is his academic focus?	A master’s in Sports Management, with a research thesis on cross‑cultural athlete integration.
Can he play both basketball and football?	NCAA rules prohibit dual‑sport participation at the Division I level without a waiver; he will focus exclusively on basketball.