When times get rough, Hawai’i men’s basketball coach preaches “Next man up, every man up.”
Coming off a disappointing season in which the Warriors finished 15-16 and failed to qualify for the Big West Tournament, the “next man up” this time happens to be a 16-year NBA veteran.
Patty Mills, a North Shore resident and longtime supporter of UH basketball, was introduced as the program’s first-ever General Manager on Monday.
GM’s for football and basketball teams are common at wealthy “Power Four Conference” colleges, but not so much in the Big West or other lower mid-major leagues. And Mills will be the first GM at Hawai’i.
According to a statement released by UH on Monday, Mills’ role will focus on mostly off-court issues such as student-athlete mentorship and development, while also “contributing to key areas including recruiting, fundraising and community engagement.”
Mills’ work will be done as an unpaid volunteer.
“This once again speaks to the character of Patty,” Ganot said on Monday. “He’s doing this as a volunteer. And he’s not someone who messes around. Whatever he’s touched, he’s been such an advocate for growing the game and for giving back. Anything he’s been involved in, has been a success. And he’s hands-on. So when he’s in town, he’ll be (here) in person, and when he’s from afar, he’ll be checking in. Which he’s always done.
“He’s just a great human being, and an honor to know him.”
Mills first played under Ganot at Saint Mary’s, where Ganot was an assistant coach in the mid-2000’s. They stayed in touch throughout his NBA career, which is now at 16 years.
In 2022, Mills helped to create a North Shore Classic tournament with UH as the host school and games played in the Canon Activities Center at Brigham Young – Hawai’i.
“I want to begin by acknowledging the University of Hawai’i athletic department and especially this incredible community for welcoming me with open arms since the beginning,” Mills, an indigenous Australian, said in a Zoom press conference Monday afternoon. “It’s a true honor to step into this role, and I definitely don’t take it lightly. I first connected with UH back in 2007 as a college player (in the Rainbow Classic), but it wasn’t until 2016 that Hawai’i truly became home for me and my family.
“At that moment, I felt a spiritual connection to the people, to the culture, and to all the values that echo those of my own communities back home: respect for the land and the sea, pride and identity in culture, and the strength of community. Those are things that we share, and that connection is what has driven me every day, to be successful as a basketball player at the elite level, and not it turns into this new role as the general manager of the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program.
“So I’m very excited.”
More details to come.