Hawaii men’s basketball prepares for exhibition trip to Australia

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The reigning Big West conference men’s basketball champions returned to the practice court Thursday to prepare for two exhibition matches in Australia next week.

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The University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will be in Sydney Aug. 6–13. They’ll face the National Basketball League’s Illawarra Hawks on Aug. 10 and the Sydney Kings on Aug. 12.

Hawaii is allowed 10 extra practices to prepare.

The NCAA recently changed its rules on international travel, allowing teams to take one trip overseas each year. This will be UH’s first trip to Australia since 2018.

“A lot of guys have never been before, so that will be cool to experience a new place, but also to just get closer with your teammates,” said UH guard Isaiah Kerr.

The trip also marks a return home for UH center and Melbourne native Bol Dengdit.

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“This is actually the first time (my family is) actually getting to see me play in a while so they’re all excited. I’m excited,” said Dengdit.

UH head coach Eran Ganot said the tour goes beyond the basketball court. While in Sydney, the team will participate in cultural and educational activities, like visits to Sydney Harbour and the top of Sydney Tower.

“Understanding the value of this global brand that is Hawaii and that is UH. Obviously we’re representing men’s basketball, but we’re representing a lot more than that, and to help our team learn a new culture and to go as ambassadors of this great state and bring the Aloha spirit,” Ganot said.

Kerr added, “I’m a little freaked out about the spiders though. I heard there’s a lot of big spiders there, but I’m excited to be there.”

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