HONOLULU - (Hawaii Athletics) The
University of Hawai'i men's and women's basketball squads will be officially
introduced during the 2012 "UH 'Ohana Hoopfest" Friday, Oct. 12, in the Stan Sheriff
Center. Admission to the Hoopfest is free.
The event will be part of the UH Homecoming week festivities and will begin at
approximately 9:15 p.m., following the UH-Cal State Northridge women's
volleyball match. Fans attending the women's volleyball match are encouraged to
stay and will be treated to entertainment and giveaways. All others fans will
be allowed into the Stan Sheriff Center near the conclusion of the women's
volleyball match.
The event will include the introduction of both the men's and women's teams, a
slam dunk contest, celebrity games and an autograph session. Hoopsfest marks
the official start of fall practice for the men's squad. The women's begin fall
camp on Oct. 2.
The Rainbow Warriors, under the direction of three-year head coach Gib Arnold, return four players and
three redshirt players from last year's squad that finished 16-16, including
first-team all-conference center Vander Joaquim. A group of eight
talented newcomers join this year's squad. Hawai'i plays an exhibition against
Hawai'i Pacific on Nov. 2 and officially opens the regular-season against
Maryland-Eastern Shore on Nov. 9 in the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Rainbow
Classic.
Meanwhile, the Rainbow Wahine are led by first-year head coach Laura Beeman. UH return six players
and two redshirts from last season, including all-WAC forward Kamilah Jackson. Six newcomers also
join the team. UH opens the year with an exhibition game against UH-Hilo on
Oct. 29 before tipping off the 2012-13 season on the road at San Francisco on
Nov. 9. The 'Bows will return for their home opening tournament, the Jack in
the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic featuring Baylor, Stanford, and
Tennessee-Martin, Nov. 16-18.