Back in the day, “Midnight ‘Ohana” in mid-October would signal the exciting approach of the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball season.
With the official start of practice now moved up to the end of September, the “new” October college hoops tradition in Manoa is the annual “Tip-Off” banquet showing the roundball opener is just around the corner. This year’s event, sponsored by ALTRES, Bank of Hawai’i and Hawaiian Airlines, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
It will be co-hosted by former ESPN SportsCenter anchors Larry Beil and Neil Everett, and will feature dinner, drinks, a silent auction and a formal program that includes players and members of the coaching staff participating in a fun Q & A.
Proceeds from the Tip-Off banquet will be directed toward student-athlete tuition, health and nutrition, and the program’s recruiting efforts.
Tickets for the one of year’s most-anticipated social events are on sale now via this Web site:
hawaiibasketballtipoff.com
“The Tip-Off event is easily one of my favorite evenings of the year,” UH coach Eran Ganot said. “I can’t say enough about how much we enjoy spending time with the best fans in the country and doing it in such an incredible and festive atmosphere. It’s always a memorable night, and it gives us positive momentum heading into the 2023-24 season.”
The Warriors return nine players from a team that went 22-11, including two guards who earned All-Big West Conference second team honors, JoVon McClanahan (2023) and Noel Coleman (2022). UH also welcomes back highly regarded guard Juan Munoz, who sat out the past two years due to injury, as well as centers Bernardo da Silva and Mor Seck.
Graduate transfers Justin McKoy (North Carolina) and Matthue Cotton (Yale) highlight a group of five newcomers.
