Hawai’i guard Kody Williams handles the ball during the 2023-24 season. The junior was awarded a scholarship after grinding as a walk-on during his first two seasons in Mānoa. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN
Walk-on Warrior: Hawai’i pulls off scholarship surprise for Kody Williams
BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
HONOLULU – Hard work pays off.
The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team enjoyed a fun surprise Sunday afternoon as junior walk-on Kody Williams was put on scholarship after the team’s practice. The Rainbow Warriors surprised the guard while watching film.
A moment that’ll last a lifetime…#ManaOhana x #GoBows pic.twitter.com/nrmc5ThEs4
— HAWAII BASKETBALL (@HawaiiMBB) September 30, 2024
“It meant the world,” Williams said after being put on scholarship. “To cherish that moment with everyone who put in the work with me was just an amazing feeling and for the guys to be that excited [for me] makes me grateful for not only the sport but the people that helped me get here.”
Williams appeared in 39 games over his first two seasons with the Rainbow Warriors, averaging 1.4 points per game in a limited role as a reserve. The 6-foot-0 guard enjoyed his best collegiate game in an overtime win over UC San Diego last season, pouring in a career-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting (2-of-3 3PT) off the bench in the February 8 win for Hawai’i.
“It’s a great moment but he deserved it,” head coach Eran Ganot said of Williams on Monday’s Wake Up in the Den appearance. “It was the first time we’d seen him that emotional and probably because of the work he put in and you want to reward that.”
During his prep career, Williams was a four-time all-league selection and helped lead Wayazata High School (MN) to a state title for the first time in 62 years before heading off to South Kent School (CT) for a post-graduate season. During his senior year for Wayazata, the guard filled up the box score with averages of 12.3 points, 11.1 assists and 7.0 rebounds per game as his squad went 19-2 in the magical season.
“This is an earn program and the reason he’s played [as a walk-on] is because he’s earned it and the reason he got this scholarship is because he’s earned it,” Ganot said about the third-year guard.
Williams celebrates with teammate Ryan Rapp. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN
Williams becomes the 12th scholarship player for Hawai’i, who needed to reload after six players graduated and sophomore center Mor Seck entered the transfer portal after the 2023-24 season. The Rainbow Warriors added four players via the transfer portal and eight total fresh faces after last season’s end and will officially see freshman guard AJ Economou suit up in games after he enrolled early and redshirted the spring semester.
Flavell, Tamilo shine for Hawai’i despite season-opening loss at Oregon
The schedule was supposed to be challenging. It’s absolutely living up to that billing at first glance. The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team opened the 2026-27 regular season on Monday, falling 87-54 in Eugene against Oregon...
Lake Erie (OH) holds off Hawaii Pacific to take third in Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic
HONOLULU – Close but no cigar. For the second consecutive night, the Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team took a tough opponent down to the wire before falling short in regulation as Lake Erie (OH) used a high-pressure defense and clutch...
Hawaii Pacific falls to St. Mary’s (TX) in Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off third-place game
HONOLULU – Fought hard, fell short but found plenty of positives. Playing for the third time in three days, the Hawaii Pacific University women’s basketball team ran out of energy in the Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic third-place game as they fell...
Hawai’i clinches playoff spot with Senior Day draw against New Mexico
HONOLULU – They certainly didn’t make it easy. The University of Hawai’i women’s soccer team clinched a spot in the Mountain West tournament on Sunday, playing New Mexico (8-4-4, 5-2-2 Mountain West) to a 2-2 draw at the Lower Campus Field on...
Mililani Knocks Off Defending Champion Kahuku, Advances to OIA Open Division Final
Mililani's Bless Cabrera-Hopkins (6) celebrates after getting a first down during a High School Football Game against Kahuku on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii. | Photo Credit: Andrew Lee, Special to...
Sizzling shooting display helps Hawaii Pacific to blowout win over St. Edwards
HONOLULU – Welcome to the Splash Zone. Behind a blistering first half of long-range shooting and suffocating defensive showing, the Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team cruised to an 88-64 victory over St. Edwards (TX) on Friday morning...
Humble off the field, Waipahu’s Braun lets his play do the talking
There isn't much about Jayse Braun's demeanor that would suggest he's one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in Hawai‘i high school football — until he leaves defenders chasing after him in the end zone. At 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, the...
UH Athletics Generates $753 Million in Economic Impact, $1.73 Billion in Media Exposure Value
Photo courtesy of the Office of Governor Josh GreenNew study highlights the university's economic contributions as state and business leaders call for continued investment in Hawai‘i Athletics.HONOLULU — The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa...
Hawaii Pacific hopes to take next step despite plethora of new players
HONOLULU – Progress is not always linear, but it can be. Coming off the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in nearly a decade, the Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team enters 2026-27 with a roster filled with fresh faces. After...
Football World Remembers June Jones: Tributes Pour In for Legendary Hawai‘i Coach
The football community is mourning the loss of legendary coach June Jones, whose impact on the University of Hawai‘i and the game of football extended far beyond the sidelines. Jones, who died at the age of 73, transformed the Rainbow Warrior...