Call it misguidance. Call it a lack of respect but despite being the defending OIA champs, the Roosevelt girls basketball team is still surprising people with their 5-0 start in league-play.

They lost a couple of key seniors from last year's squad but they've only given way to a new team leader. Junior, Iwalani Rodrigues whose athletic play and overall enthusiasm helped Roosevelt log 2 wins last week, including a defeat of division favorite Kalani.

That's why Rodrigues gets our nod, as the KHON2 Athlete of the Week.

To hear Rodrigues talk about basketball, is to hear someone who just has a natural ability for it.

Rodrigues, is averaging over 15 points per game in the regular season, and scored a game high 16, in a 2 point win over Kalani last week.

Iwalani's introduction to hoops came at an early age 5-years-old, when her Uncle gave her a basketball, it would be the intro to a deep passion for Rodrigues. One that has her playing year-round in various clinics and camps, not only here but, on the continent as well.

And her travels have exposed he to college recruits.

But she already has a school in mind.

College is still a long way out for the 5' 7" junior. Her focus now is on a repeat OIA title for the rough riders and maybe even, a state championship.

Congratulations to Iwalani Rodrigues.