Hawaii Pacific picks up talented USCB guard Evan Kilminster out of portal

Hawaii Pacific picks up talented USCB guard Evan Kilminster out of portal

Apr 9, 2026

Hawaii Pacific picks up talented USCB guard Evan Kilminster out of portal

USCB G Evan Kilminster handles the ball during a home game. | Photo Credit: Bryson Shears (IG: @bshotdat)

HONOLULU – It’s a shark transplant!

The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team secured its first addition of the 2026 transfer portal period, going cross country and getting a verbal pledge from University of South Carolina-Beaufort guard Evan Kilminster on Thursday.

Kilminster earned 2nd-team All-Peach Belt Conference last season with USCB after leading the Sand Sharks in scoring and assists, averaging 13.2 points and 4.1 assists across 29 starts. The 6-foot-3 guard drilled 56 3-pointers, shooting 40% from behind the arc while connecting on 83% of his free throws and helping USCB to a 19-10 overall record and 13-7 mark in the Peach Belt.

He scored 10 or more points in 20 of his 29 appearances, going off for a career-high 27 points along with eight rebounds and seven assists in a 114-112 loss to Fayetteville State on January 19.

The Newcastle, Australia product began his college career at the College of Charleston, spending three seasons with the Cougars before transferring to USC Beaufort. Kilminster redshirted during his true freshman season before appearing in 27 games across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons for Charleston, scoring 28 points, grabbing 22 rebounds and handing out 20 assists while playing 171 total minutes as he dealt with a variety of injuries.

The Peach Belt produced one of the best teams in the country this past year in Division II national runner-up Lander, who went 30-6 overall and won both the regular season and conference tournament titles.

Kilminster put up 20 points in just 18 minutes in a 95-82 loss against Lander on February 16, draining 3-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc while going 5-for-5 at the charity stripe. It was one of the five times that Kilminster posted 20 or more points in his lone season with the Sand Sharks.

After making the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history last year, Hawaii Pacific watched as more than 75% of the team’s scoring production either graduate or hit the portal.

Kilminster’s playmaking chops will help the Sharks as well after he handed out 118 helpers in 2025-26. Hawaii Pacific was led in assists by Quentin Meza, who dished out 97 assists for the Sharks before hitting the portal for his final season of eligibility.

HPU returns Shawn Villanea, Zane Gaul, Ike Sutton, Nemanja Sarenac and captain Avi Halpert to the roster next year. The Sharks have made the PacWest Tournament in two of the three seasons under head coach Jesse Nakanishi and continue to work to refresh the roster ahead of summer workouts.

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Oct 10, 2026

HONOLULU – Someone tell Joshua Walker to keep his dancing shoes handy. The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team continued a perfect start to conference play on Saturday night, slicing through San Jose State (6-10, 1-5 Mountain West) in...

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Oct 10, 2026

The seeds of competence were there. The University of Hawai’i football team traveled to Tempe, took an early lead for the first time in a month and slowly unraveled afterwards on the way to a 30-12 loss to Arizona State (3-2) on Saturday night....

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Matt Elliott Talks Media Rights, Mountain West Future & UH Athletics Momentum

Matt Elliott Talks Media Rights, Mountain West Future & UH Athletics Momentum

Apr 7, 2026

Matt Elliott Talks Media Rights, Mountain West Future & UH Athletics Momentum

University of Hawai‘i Athletics Director Matt Elliott joined Wake Up in The Den with Ku‘ulei Agbayani and Paul Brecht to provide a wide-ranging update on the state of UH athletics — from on-field success and community impact to major developments in media rights, conference alignment, and the evolving landscape of college sports.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW FEATURING MATT ELLIOTT

Media Rights Partnership & Expanded Exposure

One of the most significant developments discussed was UH’s ongoing local media rights negotiations, with Hawaii News Now identified as the selected partner to finalize a deal ahead of the 2026 season.

While a final agreement has not yet been signed, Elliott explained that publicly identifying the partner now allows both sides to begin the extensive preparation required before the new season — including production planning, staffing, and infrastructure setup.

At the core of the partnership is a clear objective: maximize visibility and access for UH athletics across multiple platforms.

Under the proposed model:

  • A larger number of home events will air on linear television, increasing traditional broadcast access across the state
  • Hawaii News Now will serve as the primary production partner for many broadcasts
  • UH will simultaneously build out its own internal production capabilities, allowing multiple events to be produced at the same time
  • Games will be distributed across both television and digital streaming platforms, rather than relying on a single outlet

This hybrid approach is especially important for Hawai‘i, where overlapping events have historically limited coverage.

Elliott pointed to scenarios where, for example, a baseball and softball game happening at the same time could both be available to fans — one on television, the other via streaming — instead of forcing a choice between the two.

A Shift Toward Volume & Accessibility

Beyond just distribution, the philosophy behind the deal represents a shift.

Rather than prioritizing a select number of broadcasts, UH is aiming for volume — getting as many games as possible in front of fans.

That includes:

  • Football, basketball, women’s volleyball, baseball, and softball (as required by the Mountain West Conference)
  • Olympic sports such as men’s volleyball, water polo and beach volleyball, even though they are not conference-mandated

Elliott emphasized that all sports are being treated as equally important in terms of visibility and storytelling.

The addition of the Mountain West’s upcoming streaming platform further expands that reach:

  • Fans statewide will see increased access on TV
  • Fans on the continent will gain consistent digital access
  • Nearly all home events — plus most conference road games — will be available in one ecosystem

 

Why This Matters for UH

For UH, this isn’t just a media deal — it’s a program-building tool.

Increased exposure:

  • Helps recruiting by showcasing programs to a wider audience
  • Strengthens fan engagement both locally and nationally
  • Creates new revenue opportunities tied to subscriptions and viewership

Elliott noted that when combined, linear television + streaming + in-house production will create a level of visibility UH athletics has never had before.

Basketball Updates: Stability Secured & Transition Underway

Since the interview aired, the biggest development on the men’s side has moved from expectation to near completion.

University of Hawai‘i Athletics Director Matt Elliott announced an agreement in principle on a contract extension for head coach Eran Ganot, with both sides working to finalize the formal deal in the near future.

The announcement reinforces what Elliott shared during the interview — that Ganot is firmly part of UH’s long-term plans.

Meanwhile, the search for a new women’s basketball head coach is progressing quickly following Laura Beeman’s retirement. Elliott revealed that more than 50 applicants have expressed interest, reflecting the program’s strong reputation and appeal.

Formal interviews are set to begin soon, with finalists expected to emerge in the coming days.

Giving Day & Supporting the Community

Closing out the conversation, Elliott encouraged fans to participate in UH’s upcoming Giving Day — a university-wide initiative supporting various programs and community needs.

He emphasized that while athletics benefits from the support, the broader goal is to uplift the entire Hawai‘i community, especially in the wake of recent natural disasters.

A Program Moving Forward — The Right Way

As UH athletics navigates conference changes, media deals, NIL developments, and coaching transitions, Elliott reiterated a consistent message: progress takes time, but the focus remains on building a sustainable future.

Through it all, the priority is clear — serve student-athletes, represent Hawai‘i with pride, and continue growing the reach and impact of UH athletics both on and off the field.

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Aug 26, 2026

HONOLULU – Déjà vu for a few. The University of Hawai’i football team will open a campaign against Stanford once again in 2026, this time traveling to “The Farm” on the continent to take on a brand-new coaching staff and very similar Cardinal team...

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Hawaii, HC Eran Ganot agree in principle to contract extension

Hawaii, HC Eran Ganot agree in principle to contract extension

Apr 7, 2026

Hawaii, HC Eran Ganot agree in principle to contract extension

HC Eran Ganot (middle) stands for the alma matter along his daughter (left) and senior Yacine Toumi (right) after a dramatic overtime win against UC Santa Barbara. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HONOLULU – The only transition that the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program will be experiencing is one into the Mountain West.

Veteran head coach Eran Ganot and the school officially announced an agreement in principle on Tuesday that would lock in a contract extension for the longtime leader of the Rainbow Warriors. Details of the agreement were not disclosed as the parties finalize terms, but did confirm on the same day that the 2026 transfer portal opened that Hawai’i’s coach could finally focus on recruiting for next season.

“I want to thank President Hensel and Matt Elliott for the opportunity to continue leading this program and for their incredible support of our vision,” said Ganot in UH’s official press release. “My family and I love this university and this community. We are eager to continue what we started here, building off our recent Big West Championship as we prepare for the exciting challenge of moving into the Mountain West Conference.”

Ganot, 44, has racked up a record of 195-127 in his career as the first chair in Hawai’i, giving him the second-most victories by a head coach in program history and the best winning percentage of the collegiate era (.606) by any UH coach.

The new deal provides the program with stability ahead of a big shift in the everchanging landscape of college basketball, keeping a head coach with a track record of success in the islands while UH adjusts to competing at the level of the best in the Mountain West.

“I fully understand the responsibility that comes with guiding this program; our goal remains to win at the highest level and represent Hawai’i with pride,” Ganot continued in his statement. “I also want to thank our fans – the best in the country – for their unwavering loyalty.”

Hawai’i had been especially strong after the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened campaign, tallying three 20+ win seasons in five years despite having to maneuver through significant injuries to standouts like Juan Munoz, Noel Coleman, Tanner Cuff and others.

The Rainbow Warriors returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in Ganot’s tenure in 2025-26, going 24-9 and winning the Big West Tournament before facing SEC champion Arkansas in the opening round of March Madness.

Hawai’i will graduate six players and now work to piece together a team that’s entirely new after the dream send-off season from the Big West. Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, Ike Finlinson, Hunter Carter and AJ Economou each entered their name into the transfer portal, leaving the majority of the roster open heading into next year.

Ganot will be the second longest-tenured head coach in the fresh Mountain West, ironically trailing another new member of the conference in UC Davis HC Jim Les, who just completed his 15th season leading the Aggies. Both coaches will look to help their respective programs make a strong first impressions in the Mountain West, though the Aggies entered the portal period with less overall work to do to fill out the roster.

You can keep track of the latest in Hawai’i men’s basketball recruiting with HSRN’s 2026 Offseason Movement Tracker, HERE.

HPU Cross Country Builds on Consistency, Community in 2026

HPU Cross Country Builds on Consistency, Community in 2026

Sep 19, 2026

Hawai‘i Pacific University cross country is underway in 2026 with a 22-athlete roster and an emphasis on consistency, growth and building a strong team environment. Head coach Kevin Schwarz joined Sharks Weekly alongside sophomore Drake Hanley and...

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UH Men’s basketball: 2026 offseason recruiting/transfer portal tracker

UH Men’s basketball: 2026 offseason recruiting/transfer portal tracker

Apr 7, 2026

UH Men’s basketball: 2026 offseason recruiting/transfer portal tracker

The 2025-26 Hawai’i men’s basketball team stands together after an overtime victory. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HONOLULU – Another year of men’s basketball musical chairs has arrived.

Following the sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and a Big West Championship title, the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team will undergo another major roster overhaul as they graduate six players and get ready to move into a new conference.

The school announced on Tuesday, April 7 that it had come to an agreement in principle on a contract extension that would keep 11th-year head coach Eran Ganot in the islands going forward through the program’s transition into the new-look Mountain West. Terms of the deal were not disclosed as both parties work to finalize the formal agreement, but the veteran coach officially can settle back in and attack the transfer portal and recruiting process with full focus.

Like his roster, Ganot’s bench of assistant coaches will look different as well as the Rainbow Warriors enter the Mountain West. Associate head coach Brad Davidson moved on after five seasons in the islands, accepting a role as the No. 2 on the USC Trojans’ coaching staff and leaving a significant spot open on UH’s bench.

Hawai’i has 6-foot-6 wing Scotty Belnap as the lone member of the current incoming 2026 high school recruiting class after the Mater Dei (’24) alum completed a two-year church mission in Argentina. The Rainbow Warriors graduated six players from the 2025-26 Big West Championship squad, seeing all-conference selections Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson, Dre Bullock and Hunter Erickson’s eligibility expire alongside captain Harry Rouhliadeff and forwards Gytis Nemeikša and Yacine Toumi.

On top of the six graduating seniors, Hawai’i also saw Ike Finlinson, Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, Hunter Carter and AJ Economou enter their names into the transfer portal when it opened on April 7. Guards Isaiah Kerr and Tanner Cuff, who each announced they would be staying at UH for their senior years, are the lone two players returning from last year’s squad.

Since contact with recruits/transfers has been permitted, the UH men’s basketball staff has worked on reloading the roster ahead of the program’s big move into the Mountain West. Below, you can find an up-to-date list on the latest in ‘Bows basketball recruiting – from rumors to offers to commitments.

You can stay up to date on the latest in Hawai’i men’s basketball recruiting news by following Paul Brecht on X/Twitter, @12brecht, or by following along with HSRN’s 2026 Recruiting/Transfer Portal Tracker here.

COMMITMENT: Former NBA Global Academy standout signs on with Hawai’i

April 28 – Former Davidson forward Manie Joses added his name to the list of new faces on the 2026-27 roster for the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team, committing to the Rainbow Warriors on Tuesday after spending the past two years with the Wildcats. The 6-foot-7 wing appeared in 54 games (6 starts) in his time at Davidson, providing a defensive-minded approach and strong motor in limited action.

Joses stood out in the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket tournament for Great Britain, showing off potential to follow the 3-and-D archetype at the Division I level in the United States. Last season for Davidson, the forward averaged 3.6 steals and 3.6 blocks per 100 possessions, both marks that would have led the Rainbow Warriors. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

COMMITMENT: Former UC San Diego stretch forward Bol Dengdit decides on Hawai’i

April 23 – The University of Hawai’i reeled in another big time addition for the front court as former UC San Diego forward Bol Dengdit announced his commitment to the Rainbow Warriors on Thursday. The 6-foot-11 redshirt junior averaged a career-high 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds while knocking down 25 3-pointers and earning All-Big West honorable mention with the Tritons last season.

Dengdit chose UH over Memphis, USC, Nevada and multiple other programs for his final season of eligibility. He was a member of the NBA Global Academy in Australia, a favorite recruiting pipeline for the Rainbow Warriors under head coach Eran Ganot over the past half-decade.

RUMOR: Hawai’i-Evansville transfer pipeline being re-visited for the front court

April 20 – The University of Hawai’i’s pursuit of more size for 2026-27 includes another peek at a former Evansville standout, a source told HSRN. Joshua Hughes, a 6-foot-10 stretch forward, is among the potential targets remaining in the transfer portal as the Rainbow Warriors fill out their roster.

Hughes played with Hawai’i guard Tanner Cuff in 2024-25, appearing in all 35 contests for the Purple Aces while averaging 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in just under 30 minutes of work per game. Last season, the 6-foot-10 Australian big man bumped up his scoring to 9.3 points to go with 4.7 rebounds per game. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

***Joshua Hughes committed to USC on April 30***

COMMITMENT: Former three-star Pacific forward finds new home in Hawai’i

April 20 – After redshirting his freshman season at the University of Pacific, 6-foot-7 forward Kellen Hampton is heading to the University of Hawai’i to continue his college career. A former three-star recruit from Moreau Catholic (CA), Hampton was recruited to the Tigers by UH assistant coach Clay Wilson, who spent the 2024-25 season at UOP before joining the Rainbow Warrior staff ahead of last year’s Big West championship campaign.

Coming out of high school, Hampton held offers from programs such as St. John’s, Creighton, California, Arizona State, San Jose State and others before committing to Pacific. The 6-foot-7 forward considered Montana, San Jose State and LMU before picking Hawai’i as his new home, re-joining Wilson with a chance to actually play for the coach he’s connected with for years. Hampton comes to the islands with four years of eligibility remaining.

COMMITMENT: Utah Tech G Chance Trujillo joins Hawai’i-Beehive State pipeline

April 18 – Another sweet shooter from the state of Utah is coming to make Hawai’i home. Utah Tech redshirt freshman Chance Trujillo became the latest addition to the Rainbow Warrior transfer portal recruiting class on Saturday, announcing his commitment to UH on his social media. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 12.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in his lone season with the Trailblazers, tying a program record with 73 made 3-pointers.

Trujillo considered programs like Long Beach State and Texas State among others before ultimately deciding to commit to the Rainbow Warriors as the program enters the Mountain West. He comes to the islands with three seasons of eligibility remaining.

COMMITMENT: “Dunkin’ Dan” decides on Hawai’i as next home

April 17 – The Hawai’i big man brigade got another addition on Friday as former Seattle University center Houran Dan announced his commitment to the Rainbow Warriors. The 6-foot-10 sophomore from China averaged 5.7 points and 2.5 rebounds last season in under 15 minutes per game for a Redhawks team that went 21-14 and made the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

Dan played for China’s U19 team during the 2023 U19 FIBA World Cup, backing up Portland Trail Blazers 2025 first round pick Yang Hansen. He began playing basketball late, starting his hoops career at 13 years old. He comes to the islands with two years of eligibility remaining.

COMMITMENT: Hawai’i, former NAU leading scorer find partnership

April 16 – The University of Hawai’i frontcourt got bigger and more skilled on Thursday as former Northern Arizona forward Zack Davidson announced his commitment to the Rainbow Warriors on social media. The 6-foot-9 redshirt sophomore began his career at Montana before spending last year with the Lumberjacks, averaging 14.0 points per game across the first half of the campaign before suffering a season-ending foot injury in January.

Davidson considered programs like UC Irvine and Saint Mary’s alongside the Rainbow Warriors during the process, but a longstanding recruiting relationship between Coach Ganot, the program and Davidson that dated back to high school helped push the forward’s choice over the finish line. He comes to the islands with two years of eligibility remaining.

RUMOR: Former UC San Diego stretch big among targets of Hawai’i

April 16 – The University of Hawai’i is among the programs to reach out to former UC San Diego forward/center Bol Dengdit, he told The Portal Report. The 6-foot-11 redshirt junior was an All-Big West honorable mention last season, starting all 34 games for the Tritons while averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Dengdit, an Australia native, had 19 points and four rebounds against Hawai’i on January 3 and 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting to go with four rebounds and a pair of steals against the Rainbow Warriors on February 7. He began his career at the University of Portland and shot 38% from 3-point range on more than two attempts per game with the Pilots as a sophomore.

*** Bol Dengdit committed to Hawai’i on April 23 ***

COMMITMENT: Three-star Tiger Cuff flips pledge to Hawai’i

April 14 –  There will be multiple Cuffs on the court for the University of Hawai’i next season as 6-foot-5 guard Tiger Cuff announced his commitment to the Rainbow Warriors on Tuesday. The three-star guard graduated from American Fork (UT) in 2024 and originally committed to Weber State before serving a two-year LDS mission in Brazil.

The younger brother of Tanner Cuff returned to the United States to a change in the Weber State coaching staff, opening up a lane for him to join his older brother in the islands and play on the same team together for the first time ever. He was a two-time all-state selection at the 6A level in Utah and won a state title while knocking down more than 100 3-pointers across three varsity seasons.

RUMOR: Former Duke star’s son among potential UH portal targets

April 13 – Former Northeastern forward Xander Alarie has been a subject of intrigue for the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program since entering the transfer portal, multiple sources told HSRN. The 6-foot-8 redshirt freshman started all 11 games he appeared in during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

Alarie is the son of former Duke standout Mark Alarie, who was a first round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft and spent five seasons in the NBA before being forced into retirement by a knee injury. Alarie’s older sister, Bella, was the fifth overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft.

*** Xander Alarie committed to Bradley on April 20 ***

COMMITMENT: All-PacWest guard picks Hawai’i over UCI, Colorado St., others

April 12 –  The University of Hawai’i picked up the second commitment in as many days on Sunday, securing the pledge of former Point Loma guard Jaden Matingou out of the transfer portal. The 6-foot-3 guard was an All-PacWest 1st-team selection last year after posting career highs across the board with 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and a conference-leading 4.3 assists per game for the Sea Lions.

Matingou had heard from a variety of west coast programs, ultimately picking Hawai’i over programs such as UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Colorado State and multiple others. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

COMMITMENT: Hawai’i adds former All-Big West forward, 4-star recruit in portal

April 11 – The Rainbow Warriors reeled one in on Saturday, securing the commitment of former Arizona State forward Marcus Adams Jr. out of the transfer portal. The 6-foot-8 redshirt sophomore was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, originally committing to Kansas before spending his true freshman season with BYU.

Adams Jr. struggled to find a rhythm last season at Arizona State as he dealt with a variety of injuries, but was an All-Big West 2nd team selection as a redshirt freshman in 2024-25 at CSUN. The forward averaged 16.1 points and 4.9 rebounds with the Matadors, knocking down 62 3-pointers on a 39.5% clip from distance. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

RUMOR: Hawai’i, Seattle University 6-foot-10 sophomore in contact

April 10 – The University of Hawai’i continues to target size in the transfer portal, reaching out to Seattle University C Houran Dan after he entered the transfer portal on Tuesday and remaining in contact over the opening days of the period. The 6-foot-10 sophomore appeared in 35 games (10 starts) last season for the Redhawks, averaging 5.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 14 minutes per game.

Dan shot 59% from the floor last year for a Redhawks squad that went 21-14 and made the NIT. The 6-foot-10 forward had seven games of 10+ points for Seattle and posted a season-best eight rebounds to go with seven points in an 80-72 loss at Gonzaga on January 2.

*** Houran Dan committed to Hawaii on April 17 ***

RUMOR: All-PacWest Conference guard hearing from Hawai’i

April 10 – After a standout junior season at Point Loma that saw him earn all-PacWest 1st-team honors, G Jaden Matingou has drawn some interest from the University of Hawai’i, a source told HSRN.

PLNU guard Jaden Matingou pulls up for a jumper during a game against Hawaii Pacific University. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

The 6-foot-3 guard took a big leap forward in his development as he took over starting point guard duties for the Sea Lions last year, averaging a career-high in points (11.9), rebounds (4.1) and assists (4.3) per game across 32 starts for the PacWest champions. Matingou shot 49.2% from the floor, 75% from the free throw line and 36.4% from three on 88 attempts and played just over 28 minutes per game.

*** Jaden Matingou committed to Hawai’i on April 12 ***

REPORT: Division II forward drawing interest from UH, UC Irvine, others

April 9 – After an all-LSC 1st-team season at Lubbock Christian (Div. 2), forward Antonio Pusateri has heard from the University of Hawai’i, Wyoming, UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton and a variety of other Division I mid-major programs. The 6-foot-7 Pusateri tallied averages of 16.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in his lone season with the Chaparrals.

Pusateri helped lead the Chaps to a 27-6 record last season, going 17-3 in the Lone Star Conference while earning Newcomer of the Year and 1st-team LSC honors after being the only player in the entire league to average a double-double. The Lone Star Conference received six of the eight bids to the NCAA Division II Tournament’s South Central regional.

*** Antonio Pusateri committed to Portland State on April 17 ***

RUMOR: Former BYU shooter Tyler Mrus, Hawai’i connected in portal

April 8 – The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program is one of a multitude of programs to reach out to BYU forward Tyler Mrus, according to Kevin Cacabelos of SeaTown Sports. The 6-foot-7 junior averaged 2.0 points per game for the Cougars across 27 games last season, knocking down 14 threes and grabbing 24 rebounds in his lone year at BYU.

Hawai’i was one of the programs interested in Mrus last year after he entered the portal following a season at Idaho that saw him knock down 73 3-pointers at a 38% clip. He has one season of eligibility remaining after beginning his career with Alaska Fairbanks, spending two years (one redshirt) at Idaho and one campaign with BYU.

RUMOR: Hawai’i doing background on Utah Tech G Tanner Davis

April 7 – The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program is expected to continue combing through the talented prospects with Utah backgrounds, including former Utah Tech guard Tanner Davis. The 6-foot-6 freshman appeared in 33 of 34 possible contests (26 starts) for the Trailblazers in his debut college campaign, averaging 7.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in just under 27 minutes per game.

Davis had five points and three steals when Utah Tech took on the Rainbow Warriors in mid-November, fouling out after 26 minutes in a six-point loss by the Trailblazers during the OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic.

*** Tanner Davis committed to Utah Valley on April 17 ***

REPORT: AJ Economou entering transfer portal after two years at UH

April 7 – Hawai’i G AJ Economou is entering the portal with two seasons of eligibility remaining, he announced on his social media Tuesday afternoon. The guard from Santa Monica, California appeared in 30 games across parts of two seasons with the Rainbow Warriors, scoring 27 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in limited action.

G AJ Economou goes got a high five with a teammate during a home game for Hawai’i. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

The 6-foot-5 guard had a career-high seven points, three steals and a block on December 10 against UH-Hilo and had received rave reviews from the coaching staff for his work ethic, defensive intensity and athleticism.

*** AJ Economou committed to Little Rock on April 13 ***

REPORT: Hawaii G Hunter Carter to enter portal after 1 season in the islands

April 7 – Another Rainbow Warrior announced his intention to enter the portal on Tuesday as 6-foot-5 guard Hunter Carter posted on his social media that he would test the transfer waters following his freshman season at Hawai’i.

Hawai’i G Hunter Carter handles the rock during practice. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

A former three-star recruit, Carter couldn’t break into a consistent spot in the veteran Rainbow Warrior rotation during his first collegiate campaign and ultimately appeared in just 14 games with an average of 4.0 minutes per night. He scored 14 points, grabbed nine rebounds and handed out two assists in his limited action off the bench.

*** Hunter Carter committed to Nicholls State on May 3 ***

RUMOR: 6-foot-9 NAU forward among targets for UH

April 7 – Former Northern Arizona forward Zack Davidson is among players that Hawai’i is expected to show interest in during the portal period, a source told HSRN. The 6-foot-9 redshirt sophomore averaged 14.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per game across 14 appearances (13 starts) last season for the Lumberjacks.

Davidson missed the final 17 games of last season after suffering a right foot injury in the first week of January, but was the leading scorer for NAU prior to getting hurt. He began his career at Montana, redshirting as a true freshman before appearing in 16 contests as a redshirt freshman for the Grizzlies. His collegiate debut with Montana was against the University of Hawai’i-Hilo, where he scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds in 13 minutes of work off the bench.

*** Zack Davidson committed to Hawaii on April 16 ***

RUMOR: Hawai’i monitoring former 6-foot-7 Air Force wing

April 7 – Former Air Force guard/forward Yoda Oke will be a name to monitor for the Rainbow Warriors in the transfer portal, sources told HSRN. The 6-foot-7 wing spent 2025-26 at Fullerton College, helping the Hornets tally a 32-1 record and win the program’s third 3C2A state championship in the last six years as he averaged 15.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in 31 appearances and earned 1st-team All-State.

Oke has already received offers from Fairleigh Dickinson, Wyoming, UC Riverside, Charleston Southern, Southern Utah and Tarleton State while hearing from multiple other programs.

*** Yoda Oke committed to Sam Houston on April 17 ***

REPORT: Hawai’i checking in on Lipscomb sharpshooter Ethan Duncan

April 7 – After spending one year with Lipscomb, redshirt junior guard Ethan Duncan entered the transfer portal once again and has heard from a variety of mid-major programs including the University of Hawai’i, he told the Portal Report.

Duncan began his career at Texas Tech, spending two seasons with the Red Raiders before transferring to Lubbock Christian (Div. 2) and earning back-to-back all-LSC honors. While with the Chaps, he averaged 15.3 points and 1.9 assists per game and knocked down 177 3-pointers in two years. Last year at Lipscomb, Duncan appeared in 31 games and averaged 10.5 points per game on 36.7% shooting from deep.

*** Ethan Duncan committed to Cal Baptist on April 19 ***

RUMOR: Hawai’i MBB interested in Utah Tech sharpshooting guard Chance Trujillo

April 1 – The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program will be involved with former Utah Tech G Chance Trujillo when the transfer portal opens on April 7, according to multiple sources familiar with the Rainbow Warriors’ recruiting plans. The 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman averaged 12.3 points and 2.7 assists across 33 starts for the Trailblazers, shooting 35.3% from 3-point range while drilling a team-high 73 triples in his only season with Utah Tech.

Trujillo had nine points and three rebounds on November 15 against Hawai’i before fouling out in the finale of the OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic this past season. The guard began his career at Weber State, where he redshirted, and was teammates at Snow College with Ike Finlinson in 2024-25.

*** Chance Trujillo committed to Hawai’i on April 18 ***

RUMOR: ‘Bows interested in former MTSU commit Jalen Lyn

March 28 – Following his de-commitment from Middle Tennessee State University, College of Southern Idaho G Jalen Lyn is a target of interest for the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team according to a source familiar with UH’s recruiting plans.

The Queens, NY product averaged 16.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game across 35 starts for the Golden Eagles this past year, shooting 45% from the field, 32.9% from 3-point range and 78.1% from the free throw line while helping CSI to a 34-3 record and an NJCAA national championship appearance.

*** Jalen Lyn committed to Little Rock on April 15 ***

RUMOR: Mutual interest between Adams Jr., Hawai’i MBB

March 28 – Arizona State F Marcus Adams Jr. and the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program have mutual interest, according multiple sources familiar with the matter. The 6-foot-8 redshirt sophomore is a former 2nd-team All-Big West selection and began his college career with BYU after originally committing to Kansas out of high school.

A former four-star recruit, Adams Jr. has two years of eligibility remaining after being granted a medical redshirt for his single season with BYU. The forward was hampered by injuries once again in his year with Arizona State, playing in just 14 games and averaging 3.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per night. In one healthy season at CSUN, the 6-foot-8 Adams Jr. tallied 16.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and shot 39.5% from 3-point range while making 62 triples in 32 games (20 starts).

*** Marcus Adams Jr. committed to Hawai’i on April 11 ***

RUMOR: Former UH target Zion Sensley enters portal, ‘Bows to check in

March 27 – After averaging 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds and appearing in all 32 games (20 starts) during his sophomore campaign at UC Santa Barbara, Zion Sensley is entering the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining.

Hawai’i was among the finalists for Sensley’s services out of high school & are expected to check in again about bringing the talented 6-foot-8 wing to the islands as the program moves into the Mountain West. Sensley averaged 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 27.5 minutes in two games against the Rainbow Warriors last season and could find himself with a large role if he picks Hawai’i following the graduation of the program’s entire front court rotation.

*** Zion Sensley committed to Loyola Marymount University on April 17 ***

Report: Hawaii F Isaac Finlinson intends to enter transfer portal

March 27 – Former JUCO National Player of the Year Isaac Finlinson reportedly will enter the transfer portal after one season with Hawai’i, looking for his fourth home in five years at the college level after playing in all 33 games (16 starts) for the Rainbow Warriors and averaging 9.2 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 39% from 3-point range.

Hawai’i F Ike Finlinson drives during a home game. | Photo credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

The 6-foot-8 forward started his career at Utah Tech, redshirting after suffering an injury and transferring to Snow College for two seasons. The sharpshooting junior was the consensus JUCO National Player of the Year in 2024-25 at Snow College, scoring 18.7 points per game and helping the Badgers to a 32-2 record before joining the Rainbow Warriors.

*** Ike Finlinson committed to Western Michigan on April 28 ***

Report: Hawaii G Aaron Hunkin-Claytor intends to enter transfer portal

March 26 – After spending his first two college seasons in the islands, sophomore point guard Aaron Hunkin Claytor reportedly intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens on April 7 according to his agent Drake U’u.

Hawaii G Aaron Hunkin-Claytor swoops to the rim in transition during a win over UH-Hilo. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Hunkin-Claytor had a strong freshman season for the Rainbow Warriors and was the starter for all 17 games in his sophomore year before suffering a season-ending foot injury in the middle of January.  In total, he appeared in 46 games (28 starts) in his UH career and averaged 4.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in just under 22 minutes per contest.

*** Aaron Hunkin-Claytor committed to USC on May 2 ***

REPORT: ‘Bows in contact with bouncy Division II forward Luke Howard

March 10 – Simon Fraser F Luke Howard has reportedly heard from Hawai’i, among multiple other Big West and Mountain West schools after entering the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-9 graduate forward took a medical redshirt last year after averaging 16.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 2024-25, shooting 48% from the field and 41% from 3-point range in 24 games (21 starts). Howard began his college career at Lipscomb University, spending two years (COVID & redshirt) with the Bisons (yes, they’re called the Bisons, with an S) before transferring to the PacWest and spending 2021-22 at Biola. After one campaign with the Eagles, Howard transferred again to Northwest University for a two-season stay and then spent 2024-25 at Simon Fraser before taking a medical redshirt last year.

Everyone got that? Good.

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Aug 26, 2026

HONOLULU – Déjà vu for a few. The University of Hawai’i football team will open a campaign against Stanford once again in 2026, this time traveling to “The Farm” on the continent to take on a brand-new coaching staff and very similar Cardinal team...

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Blakeney’s complete game carries Hawaii Pacific to doubleheader sweep of Chaminade

Blakeney’s complete game carries Hawaii Pacific to doubleheader sweep of Chaminade

Apr 6, 2026

Blakeney’s complete game carries Hawaii Pacific to doubleheader sweep of Chaminade

LHP Nick Blakeney delivers a pitch during his complete game victory over Chaminade. | Photo Credit: Diego Rivera, Hawaii Media Source

WAIPAHU – Keehi boys keep building brick by brick.

Powered by true freshman LHP Nick Blakeney’s first career complete game, the Hawai’i Pacific University baseball team swept Monday’s doubleheader over cross island rival Chaminade with 6-2 and 15-3 victories in a pair of seven inning contests at Hans L’Orange Park in Waipahu.

LISTEN TO GAME 1 BROADCAST ON DEMAND

“I thought we executed the plan really well, both on the pitching side and on the offensive side,” said HPU head coach Dane Fujinaka after sweeping the twin bill. “Overall, those are the two cleanest games of baseball that we’ve played up to this point.”

Blakeney allowed just two runs (0 earned) in 7.0 innings of work, giving up two hits while walking one and striking out three Silverswords to pick up his first career college win for the Sharks.

The freshman southpaw got quick run support as HPU (17-15, 15-11 PacWest) plated three runs in the bottom of the second inning from an RBI single to left from SS Andrew Nykoluk and an RBI single to center by CF Noah Hata.

Blakeney returned the favor to his offense, sitting down the first 12 Chaminade batters that he faced. Senior DH Keanu Spencer added on an insurance run for the left-handed freshman starter in the bottom half of the fourth with a booming double off the wall that scored Tyler Arnold all the way from first base.

With a 4-0 lead in hand, Blakeney finally allowed one of the Silverswords to reach base as Cameron Breeze led off the top of the fifth with a single to right. The HPU starting pitcher quickly reverted back to form after losing his no-hit and perfect game bids, sitting down the next six batters in order to keep Chaminade scoreless.

After Nykoluk and LF Kan Taguchi led off the bottom half of the sixth inning with back-to-back singles, the Sharks tacked on two more runs to the lead to make it 6-0 heading into the top of the seventh after a pinch-hitting Blake Helsper and C Brock Wirthgen picked up an RBI walk and RBI sacrifice fly for HPU.

Blakeney returned in the seventh to close out the shortened game, running into a little trouble with a leadoff walk and passed ball putting a runner into scoring position before an error in right field allowed a pair of unearned runs to score. The freshman hurler settled despite giving up more action on the basepaths than he had all afternoon, getting the final two outs to push HPU over .500 overall for the first time since February 5.

Taguchi tallied a 3-for-4 day at the plate for the Sharks with three singles and a run scored from the leadoff spot. Nykoluk went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and another run batted in from the nine-hole, giving HPU an extra leadoff batter at the bottom of the lineup.

3B Tyler Arnold added a perfect showing at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles, two walks and a run scored while Hata collected a couple of runs batted in with his lone hit in three at-bats.

The story of the first game though was Blakeney, who started the season as a redshirt candidate according to Fujinaka. In need of extra arms and at risk of missing out on making the travel roster, Blakeney went to his head coach to try and get a chance on the mound to help the team back at the start of conference play.

First trying to get a chance at taking on teammates in live at-bats during practice, Blakeney badgered Fujinaka to put him on a practice schedule to compete against Sharks hitters. Once he got his opportunity, he didn’t waste it.

LHP Nick Blakeney walks off the mound after another scoreless inning against Chaminade. | Photo Credit: Diego Rivera, Hawaii Media Source

“We actually shut him down from pitching in the fall so he could focus on hitting,” Fujinaka revealed of his freshman two-way player from Liberty HS (NV). “He throws a live AB [in practice] … and like, dominant. Exactly what you saw today is what we saw in live ABs.”

After that, Fujinaka booked the freshman a flight and knew he could have another key arm ready to help the Sharks make a playoff push.

With a fresh bullpen for the second game, Fujinaka used six different pitchers to stymie the Chaminade offense while HPU plastered Swords RHP Brennen Panis (L, 1-4) for seven runs (7 ER) and chased the opposing starter after just two outs.

The Sharks added two more runs in the second and five more in the bottom half of the third inning, taking a commanding 12-run lead over the Silverswords after three frames. Both sides added one run each in the sixth inning but otherwise cruised to a calm result as HPU tattooed Chaminade, 15-3.

Ethan Murakoshi was the big hero in the second game for Hawaii Pacific, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and four runs batted in. The sophomore 1B smacked his third home run of the season in the bottom half of the third inning with a two-run shot to score Ziah Chang.

Rylen Bayne (2-0) picked up the victory for HPU in the second game, going 2.0 innings while allowing two runs (2 ER) on two hits and two walks, striking out a pair of the 10 batters he faced before handing it over to the rest of the bullpen.

Winners of five of the last six, Hawaii Pacific will hit the road this weekend for a critical California road trip with four-game sets against Biola (April 11-13) and Vanguard (April 16-18) coming up.

The Sharks will also play a quick three-game series against defending PacWest champion Westmont at a neutral site to make up for the March 13-17 series that was postponed in the islands due to weather.

“I think we just continue to get better every week, which is what our plan was from day one,” Fujinaka said ahead of his team’s stretch of 11 road games in 12 days. “We want to play our best baseball in April, which it’s April and I’m glad we’re playing really good baseball right now. We’ve just got to continue to get better.”

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Aug 26, 2026

HONOLULU – Déjà vu for a few. The University of Hawai’i football team will open a campaign against Stanford once again in 2026, this time traveling to “The Farm” on the continent to take on a brand-new coaching staff and very similar Cardinal team...

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Hawai’i rips through rematch against UC Irvine in straight sets

Hawai’i rips through rematch against UC Irvine in straight sets

Apr 4, 2026

Hawai’i rips through rematch against UC Irvine in straight sets

Hawai’i OH Louis Sakanoko smiles during a victory inside the Bren Events Center. | Photo Credit: Brock Jones, HSRN

The Bulgarian Blaster is back at full strength.

The No. 2-ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team continued a trend of tormenting teams on the second night of a series on Saturday, sweeping No. 5 UC Irvine in straight sets inside the Bren Events Center, (25-22, 25-22, 25-22).

Sophomore Kristian Titriyski belted down a team-high 20 kills for the Rainbow Warriors, including the final point of the night to keep the visitors unbeaten in Big West play. The Bulgarian opposite was in his usual boom-or-bust state, shining for the majority of his 29 swings while also tossing in seven hitting errors.

“He hits the ball harder than most humans and usually good things happen,” head coach Charlie Wade said of the cannon-armed high variance opposite. “But he’s got to be a little more cerebral in those long rallies and in transition situations.”

Titriyski missed nearly two months and 12 straight matches for Hawai’i (23-3, 6-0 Big West) before finally returning during the OUTRIGGER Invitational back on March 12. The 6-foot-8 opposite had tallied double figures in the kill department in all but one match since returning, but Saturday night was the closest he had looked to the All-American form he showed during his freshman campaign.

One night after posting a near-triple double, UH setter Tread Rosenthal dished out another 38 assists while adding four digs and four blocks in the victory. The offense hummed along all evening for Hawai’i, hitting .453 as a group over the three frames for the best hitting percentage by the team since February 25 against BYU.

Louis Sakanoko and Adrien Roure each tacked on eight kills for the Rainbow Warriors, who improved to 10-1 in the second game of a series this season with the victory.

After going the full five frames on Friday, one may have expected a similar sloppiness to the overall attack from both sides. The first night between squads saw a gnarly 41 combined attack errors, each tallying over 20 offensive miscues in a back-and-forth affair that needed extra points to be decided.

Hawai’i had no such plans, throwing the first punch by hitting .500 with just two total attack errors in Saturday’s opening set. Titriyski racked up eight kills on 10 swings by himself, helping hold off a late rally by the Anteaters with back-to-back putdowns that delivered the frame to UH.

UC Irvine was sound offensively themselves, only sending three swings on the attack out for a free point while hitting a very respectable .344 in the first set.

The Anteaters turned the dial up another level in the follow-up frame, going without a single error in 26 swings while hitting .423, but it still wasn’t enough as the Rainbow Warriors got a pair of late aces from Adrien Roure to pull away for a 2-0 set lead. Hawai’i also hit .500 for the second straight set with just three attacking errors.

With another tough road trip next week against No. 13 UC San Diego coming up, Wade acknowledged a desire to not allow the Anteaters to stick around in the third and extend the match further. Prior to Saturday night, UC Irvine had not been swept all season.

A red-hot start for Hawai’i helped change that.

The Rainbow Warriors raced out to a 7-1 lead in the third frame, never allowing UCI to get closer than four to set up match point, 24-16.

Andrej Jokanovic refused to let the Anteaters go down without any type of fight, rattling off five straight points from the service line with three aces to make it a two-point deficit and force Wade to burn both of his timeouts.

Calmed after the rapid rally by the hosts, Hawai’i finished off the Anteaters with Titriyski’s 20th kill of the night to remain unbeaten and record a second consecutive impressive road sweep against a Big West foe ranked in the nation’s top five.

“I don’t know if we’ve ever gone 4-0 on the road at those two places since the Big West started,” Wade said of the Rainbow Warriors sweeping through both UCI and Long Beach State on the continent. “It’s nice to get significant road wins in-league, you know? Those are really good teams that all have legitimate designs on winning not only a league championship but a national championship and [it’s] nice to be able to go into their place and come out on top.”

Quinten Greenidge was quietly incredible for Hawai’i, recording nine digs while helping spark a plethora of Rainbow Warrior runouts in transition after big UCI swings. Trevell Jordan was also strong in the middle, going a perfect 4-for-4 on his attack chances while adding a block and three digs himself from the middle blocker spot.

Andrej Jokanovic had nine kills on 26 swings for UC Irvine but totaled six service aces that helped keep the Anteaters within striking distance and alive late. William D’Arcy led UCI with 13 kills on 31 swings, committing four attacking errors in the loss as well.

Hawai’i will return to the islands before heading back to the continent next week for a two-match series in La Jolla, California against UC San Diego. The Rainbow Warriors sit atop the Big West standings with four matches left in the regular season.

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Three players to watch for in Hawaii-Stanford’s Week 0 matchup

Aug 26, 2026

HONOLULU – Déjà vu for a few. The University of Hawai’i football team will open a campaign against Stanford once again in 2026, this time traveling to “The Farm” on the continent to take on a brand-new coaching staff and very similar Cardinal team...

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