Five players to watch for on fresh-faced HPU squad

Five players to watch for on fresh-faced HPU squad

Jul 28, 2026

Five players to watch for on fresh-faced HPU squad

HPU head coach Jesse Nakanishi looks on ahead of an exhibition against the University of Hawai’i. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HONOLULU – Success and the winds of change.

The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team claimed a spot in the NCAA Tournament (Division II) for the third time in program history last season, capping off a thrilling campaign that began with a road victory over Boise State with an invite to the national dance for the first time since 2017 and third time ever.

It was a good time to cash in, seeing the majority of the rotation graduating at season’s end while All-PacWest second-team guard Quentin Meza hit the portal after one year in the islands and returned home to Utah to play at Westminster (D2).

The Sharks still return a half-dozen players from that postseason run for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign but hit the portal hard to replace more than 75% of their scoring output from last year. In total, nine players joined the six returners via the portal and high school class.

With so many new faces on the roster, here are five guys to keep a tab on ahead of HPU’s quest to go dancing in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.

G Evan Kilminster – Transfer via USCB

From one side of the United States to the other, Kilminster comes to the islands for his final year of eligibility after a 2nd-team all-conference season for the University of South Carolina-Beaufort. The Australian guard led the Sand Sharks with 13.2 points and 4.1 assists per game across 29 starts and shot 40% from 3-point range last year, competing in a conference that produced the national runner-up in Lander.

HPU will likely look to Kilminster to pick up some of the scoring and playmaking slack left on the table after the departure of last year’s starting point guard Quentin Meza. With a sturdy 6-foot-3 frame, the former Division I prospect does provide a bigger option at the lead guard spot than previous seasons have presented for Nakanishi’s squads.

G Avi Halpert – Returner

In a college basketball environment filled with change, Halpert is one of the few constants remaining for HPU and enters his senior campaign as the longest-tenured Shark on the roster. The shifty guard has played a variety of roles in his two years in the islands, starting 42 of the 59 games he’s appeared in before shifting to a heavier bench role while serving as a team captain last season.

Avi Halpert (8) drives down the floor against the University of Hawai’i. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

With multiple question marks surrounding the chances left behind by graduation and the portal, Halpert could take a step forward (or just continue) his HPU career averages of 7.9 points and 2.8 assists to greatly assist Jesse Nakanishi’s new-look group set an early foundation with a productive piece. He’ll also vie for the starting point guard gig again, though he also showed last season that he has the ability to provide a playmaker off the bench if needed.

G Nemanja Sarenac – Returner

A quiet breakout candidate, Sarenac showed off his sweet shooting stroke in his first year for Hawaii Pacific as he finished top 10 in the PacWest in 3-pointers made (60) and top 5 in overall 3-point percentage (38.2%) while playing under 20 minutes per game last season. He drilled over 40% from distance during conference play alone and ripped off a nine-game stretch of making two or more 3-pointers from late January into the middle of February.

Poised to continue playing fast and free offensively in his second year in the system, Sarenac could become the top 3-point sniper in the entire PacWest. With multiple playmakers and scorers playing alongside of him, the 6-foot-5 Serbian guard will find himself with plenty of opportunity to let it fly and change games entirely from behind the arc.

G Keonjay Carter – Transfer via Roberts Wesleyan

Another high-character guy with talent, Carter was a co-captain last year for the Redhawks as he averaged 11.6 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting just under 38% from long range. He had arguably his best performance of the year in a loss against Daemen (who went 33-2 and made the Elite Eight before falling to Lander) with a 25-point outburst on 7-for-11 shooting while getting to the free throw line 10 times.

A creative and confident playmaker, Carter could shift into a role similar to what Sharks fans saw with former guard Tyrease Terrell as a guy with range that extends a few feet beyond the arc that still can force defenses to respect the threat of him attacking off the dribble. The 6-foot-2 guard does attack the basket at a higher clip than Terrell did and has the touch around the rim to make it count when he’s in a rhythm.

F Eric Ahlers II – Transfer via Husson

Can lighting strike twice for the Sharks? Much like the now-graduated Joshua West before he came to the islands, Ahlers was a Division III star that showed mastery of the level. The 6-foot-5 wing was selected as a All-Northern Atlantic Conference 1st-teamer after averaging 20.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists last year for the Husson Eagles, adding 14 double-doubles to his ledger before portaling as a graduate transfer.

After 14 outings with 20+ points last season and a season-high of 35, Ahlers has shown the propensity to put the ball in the bucket. He, too, will get the chance at snatching scoring responsibilities for HPU while looking to bring a toughness on the glass from the wing spot.

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Hawaii’s Alejado named Preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year

Hawaii’s Alejado named Preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year

Jul 15, 2026

Hawaii’s Alejado named Preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year

Another year, more history made for Micah Alejado.

After becoming the first UH player to earn Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors in 2025, the sophomore quarterback is back with sights on even greater heights in 2026. Alejado was picked as the conference’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year on Wednesday morning, marking another first in the Mountain West for the Rainbow Warrior football program.

“It’s super cool,” Alejado said after becoming the first sophomore to ever receive preseason OPOY recognition in the Mountain West. “You’ve got to go out there and prove it and I understand that … I’m excited with the challenge. Obviously, it brings a lot of attention and [puts] a target on my back so I’m excited for it. I’ll take it and I’ll go out there and prove it this year.”

Hawai’i burst into conference title contention last season on the back of Alejado’s breakout, seeing the southpaw signal caller pace the Mountain West with a freshman-record 24 touchdown passes to go with 3,106 yards through the air as UH danced to a 9-4 record and a bowl game (and win) for the first time under head coach Timmy Chang.

His return to the Rainbow Warriors for the 2026 campaign firmly secured Hawai’i’s spot in the conversation for the new-look conference’s most elite squads. Along with Alejado, Hawai’i had WR Pofele Ashlock, LB Jamih Otis and DB Elijah Palmer finding spots on the preseason All-Mountain West squad.

UH was tied for third-most preseason all-conference team selections with four players between the offense, defense and special teams units. New Mexico and UNLV led all programs with five selections each while Nevada and newcomer North Dakota State also each placed four different players on the preseason list.

For Alejado and his army of talented teammates, the focus remains on one place.

“Last year, we knew we could [compete for a conference title] and we were chasing a championship and fell short,” the star sophomore said. “The expectations for us this year are high. We’re not settling for nothing we shouldn’t be settling for, right? Championship – hosting a championship, go win a championship and put ourselves in the best spot for the [College Football Playoff spot]. That’s always our expectation.”

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Johnson’s big debut helps Sixers over Pistons in NBA Summer League

Johnson’s big debut helps Sixers over Pistons in NBA Summer League

Jul 9, 2026

Johnson’s big debut helps Sixers over Pistons in NBA Summer League

Former Hawaii star Isaac Johnson celebrates after drilling a 3-pointer during NBA Summer League. | Photo Credit: Philadelphia 76ers

 

Well, they do say Las Vegas is like the “Ninth Island” of Hawai’i.

Former Rainbow Warriors standout Isaac Johnson looked like he was back home in the islands as made his NBA Summer League debut on Thursday, scoring 20 points in 20 minutes of action off the bench to help lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 101-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons inside the Pavilion on the campus of UNLV.

Johnson, who became the first UH men’s basketball player to earn All-Big West first-team honors since Eddie Stansberry in 2019-20, was the second-leading scorer for the 76ers against the Pistons and turned in a team-high +13 in the win.

The 7-footer was 6-of-10 from the field and went 4-for-6 from 3-point range, including a four-point play in the fourth quarter that helped Philadelphia pull away late in the team’s 2026 Summer League opener.

He also added two rebounds, an assist and a block while playing in lineups next to second-year big man Johni Broome.

Former Cal State Fullerton guard Dante Maddox Jr. led the Sixers with 21 points in the win.

Big Fish and the 76ers will return to action on Saturday, July 11 at 11:30 a.m. HT against the Indiana Pacers on Amazon Prime. The Pacers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday to begin the Summer League slate for both teams.

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Hawaiian Stars rally over Aloha Stars in 6th annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic

Hawaiian Stars rally over Aloha Stars in 6th annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic

Jul 4, 2026

Hawaiian Stars rally over Aloha Stars in 6th annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic

The Hawaiian Stars & Aloha Stars pose together following the 6th annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic. | Photo Credit: Ku’ulei Agbayani, HSRN

 

Coverage of the 6th Annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic on HSRN is presented by SportStan Sporting Goods.
At SportStan it’s not just sporting goods, it’s a way of life.

WAIPAHU – It’s Fourth of July weekend; the fireworks were planned.

The sixth annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic ended in dramatic fashion for the third straight year, seeing the loaded Hawai’i high school Class of 2026 provide one more memorable moment for onlookers at Hans L’Orange Park on Friday afternoon as the Hawaiian Stars came back in extra innings to walk off the Aloha Stars, 12-11.

Honokaa’s Josyah Napoleon-Umeda was named the game’s overall MVP, delivering an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning that scored Kaiser’s Tanner Kagimoto and handed the Hawaiian Stars a 12-11 victory over the Aloha Stars. The state’s Division II Player of the Year did a little bit of everything on the day, pitching a clean third inning, playing some centerfield and sparking two separate rallies at the plate late for the Hawaiian Stars.

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“I made some mistakes on the field,” a cool-headed Napoleon-Umeda said following his game-winning hit that snapped the Aloha Stars’ multi-year winning streak. “I had to step up and get my job done … I had to help the team, and the team helped. Everybody just did their job and got it done.”

Kagimoto, a Hawaii Pacific commit, earned himself Offensive MVP honors while his future head coach Dane Fujinaka watched on in the crowd at the home of the Sharks. The 5-foot-5 Kagimoto stood tall at the plate for the Hawaiian Stars, going 3-for-5 with five runs batted in and three runs scored – including the game-winner in the bottom of the 10th.

“[Just] really stoked to have this opportunity,” Kagimoto said of his emotions following the theatrical ending. “Having this opportunity to play with these top athletes from the state, it’s awesome.”

The game’s Defensive MVP honor went to Kaiser standout and University of Nevada commit Noah Sham, who dazzled with a handful of putouts throughout the afternoon while bouncing between third base and shortstop.

Nevada commit Noah Sham (left) poses with Nathan “Homey” Numata after winning defensive MVP. | Photo Credit: Ku’ulei Agbayani, HSRN

Featuring over 20 student-athletes with plans to continue their baseball careers at the college level, the sixth annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic felt like a rollercoaster ride as the two talented teams traded blows throughout a fiery Friday afternoon.

The Aloha Stars, comprised of a variety of ILH all-stars and some Waiakea, Baldwin and KS-Hawaii standouts, struck first with three runs in the top of the second inning behind KS-Kapalama’s Bronson Boucher’s RBI double and run-scoring singles from Iolani’s Brady Minami and Mid-Pacific’s Reese Higuchi.

The lead grew to 6-0 by the end of the top of the fifth inning, putting the Hawaiian Stars on the edge of potentially being blown out in the Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic.

Leave it to the smallest guy on the field to provide the biggest impact.

Tanner Kagimoto smoked a line drive over the head of the centerfielder in the bottom half of the fifth, scoring Reece Maruyama before racing around the bases for an inside-the-park home run to finally get the Hawaiian Stars on the board.

The Aloha Stars added an insurance run to go back up 7-2 in the top of the sixth, but the Hawaiian Stars batted around and plated five runs to knot the game at 7 in the bottom half of the frame.

With two runs in and the bases still loaded, Kagimoto stepped up again and smacked the ball to the centerfield wall for a bases-clearing RBI triple to set up a brand-new ball game with three scheduled innings remaining.

The Aloha Stars pushed back ahead with four runs over those innings, taking an 11-7 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning. Still, the Hawaiian Stars refused to release the rope as another inside-the-park homerun – this time by leadoff hitter Josyah Napoleon-Umeda – sparked a four-run rally to tie the game up at 11 and force extra innings for the second straight year in the Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic.

After Kauai’s Kaden Paoa Itamura spun a scoreless top of the 10th for the Hawaiian Stars, Kagimoto and company took care of the rest to complete the spectacular comeback.

Kagimoto tapped a one-out single to left field and promptly stole second base to put the winning run in scoring position with two outs for the Hawaiian Stars to work with.

They only needed one more batter.

Josyah Napoleon-Umeda capped off his own phenomenal outing with one last hit, pulling an RBI single down the first baseline and into right field that allowed the speedy Kagimoto to speed into home and snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat for the Hawaiian Stars.

“We just forget about the mistakes, stay strong,” said Napoleon-Umeda of the Hawaiian Stars’ comeback.  “Just know there’s plenty game left, and we just stuck with it, and we were able to win today.”

Honokaa’s Josyah Napoleon-Umeda poses with Nathan “Homey” Numata after being named the overall MVP of the 6th annual Chace Numata Senior All-Star Classic. | Photo Credit: Ku’ulei Agbayani, HSRN

Courtesy of the game’s sponsor, SportStan Sporting Goods, the two teams also participated in a race around the bases and a “pop time” contest for the catchers in honor of the late Chace Numata.

Kauai’s Kaden Paoa Itamura, who also was awarded the win on the mound as the final pitcher of the day for the Hawaiian Stars, showed off his speed with a victory in the “Race around the Bases” contest while PAC-5’s Thomas Mitchell won the pop-time challenge between catchers.

SportStan Sporting Goods also sponsored the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Game awards and J&M Embroidery Inc. helped with providing the LiveLikeNumi game caps.

**Special mahalo to event coordinator Eric Tokunaga & the Numata ‘ohana**

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Former Hawaii star Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson to play in NBA Summer League

Former Hawaii star Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson to play in NBA Summer League

Jun 25, 2026

Former Hawaii star Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson to play in NBA Summer League

Hawaii C Isaac Johnson gives an extra stare after a putback dunk in the first half against UC San Diego. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Big Fish is getting the call to the big leagues.

Well, the NBA’s Summer League, at least.

Former University of Hawai’i standout and Big West 1st-team center Isaac Johnson will play for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, according to his representation from Slash Sports & Entertainment.

Johnson quickly became a fan favorite in his lone season in the islands, captivating fans with his signature “Big Fish chomp” celebration and multiple memorable performances in big moments.

The sweet-shooting 7-footer started all 33 games for the Big West champion Rainbow Warriors in 2025-26, averaging career highs across the board with a team-best 14.1 points along with 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

He also led UH from the charity stripe, drilling 88.5% of his free throws (2nd-best single-season percentage in program history) and became the first Hawai’i player since Stefan Jovanovic (’15-16) to tally 30+ three pointers and 30+ blocks in a single season.

“It feels pretty awesome to have this opportunity,” Johnson said in a text to HSRN on Thursday after receiving Summer League invite. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities Hawai’i gave me … All the staff and people the in community that made this dream a reality.”

The NBA Summer League runs from July 9-19 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion on the campus of UNLV and will see all 30 teams participate. Full rosters have not yet been released.

The 76ers will play four games through pool play, facing off against the Pistons, Pacers, Rockets and Magic over the course of seven days. The full schedule is below, courtesy of Adam Aaronson:

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