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HONOLULU – Close to 450 people came out for the inaugural University of Hawai'i Men's Basketball Tipoff Event on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Stan Sheriff Center. Fans enjoyed the chance to personally meet this year's team, bid on auction items, and enjoy food and drink while raising funds for the UH men's basketball nutrition program.
  
"It was a fantastic turnout," head coach Eran Ganot said, "and a great time with great people. Once we decided to have this event it was something we were really fired up about. We couldn't have asked for a better evening."
 
The evening started with drinks and a silent auction. Some of the items that were up for bid included autographed items from Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Bo Jackson; hotel packages; and jewelry.
 
After dinner was a program that included Q&A sessions with head coach Eran Ganot, the assistant coaches, and select Rainbow Warrior players. The audience learned more about of the players on the 2016-17 roster, while the coaches spoke about the team's off-season progress, gave positional breakdowns, and shared the overall philosophy and culture of the Rainbow Warrior basketball program. Scott Robbs of OCSports emceed the evening's festivities with fellow men's basketball broadcasters and former UH letterwinners David Hallums and Johnny White serving as panelists.
 
"We're glad our fans got the chance to meet the guys up-close and learn more about this year's team, especially in a fun atmosphere like this," Ganot said. "I can't say enough about the  support we receive here in Hawai'i and tonight was reflection of that. We can't wait to have this again next year."

Also announced during the evening was a Coaches vs. Cancer event to be held on Nov. 17 at Murphy's Bar & Grill. More information will available soon.