HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball program will host its seventh annual Tipoff Event on Thursday, Oct. 19 at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The Tipoff, sponsored by ALTRES, Bank of Hawaii and Hawaiian Airlines, is one of the most anticipated UH social events of the year and helps signal the start of the college basketball season.  
 
The event gives fans the chance to enjoy great food, win auction items, and mingle with the Rainbow Warrior players and coaching staff. This year's event will also feature a special appearance by former ESPN SportsCenter anchors and local broadcasting legends Larry Beil and Neil Everett who will co-host the evening's festivities.
 
"The Tipoff Event is easily one of my favorite evenings of the year," head 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 fundraiser starts at 5:30 p.m. with drinks and a silent auction. Dinner and a program will follow with players and members of the coaching staff participating in a Q&A.
 
Tables (seating 10) and individual tickets are available and can be purchased online at HawaiiBasketballTipoff.com. The opportunity to be seated at the Head Coach's Table with Eran Ganot, Larry Beil and Neil Everett is also available. Contact Austin Bogle at abogle@hawaii.edu for more information or to register for the event.  
 
All proceeds from the evening will go to the men's basketball program and will be directed toward student-athlete tuition, health and nutrition and the program's recruiting efforts. 
 
UH returns nine players from last year's roster, highlighted by a backcourt that features all-conference guards Noel Coleman and JoVon McClanahan. The 'Bows also eagerly welcome back Juan Munoz, who sat out the last two years due to injury, as well as front-court standouts Bernardo da Silva and Mor Seck. Five new players join the squad, headlined by a pair of graduate transfers in Matthue Cotton (Yale) and Justin McKoy (North Carolina).