Men’s Basketball Commences Fall Practice

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team began fall practice on Friday afternoon ahead of its 2024-25 campaign. Following a summer of intense conditioning and skill work, the Rainbow Warriors now go full bore with team preparation ahead of its season opener on November 8.

A core group of veterans who helped lead UH to back-to-back 20-win campaigns have graduated, leaving UH with a balanced mix of returnees and newcomers heading into this season. Third-year guard Ryan Rapp is the lone starter back, while the 'Bows will also rely on a pair of promising sophomores in guard Tom Beattie and forward Akira Jacobs. Beattie started three games as a true freshman last year, while Jacobs is fresh off competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics for his native Japan.

𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 🤩#HawaiiMBB #ManaOhana #GoBows pic.twitter.com/X1QHfdoiI3
— HAWAII BASKETBALL (@HawaiiMBB) September 28, 2024

A bevy of fresh faces bolster this year's squad. The eight newcomers are highlighted by four players from the transfer portal in Tanner Christensen (Utah Tech), Marcus Greene (Houston Baptist), Gytis Nemeikša (Xavier), and Jerome Palm (Valparaiso). European imports Osahon Obasohan (Belgium) and Jacopo Van der Knaap (Italy) and prep players Aaron Hunkin-Claytor and Roy Igwe round out the newcomers.

The Rainbow Warriors will head to UH Hilo for an exhibition on Friday, Oct. 25, before tipping off the season with OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic, Nov. 8, 10 and 11.

#HawaiiMBB

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Players Mentioned

#2 Tom Beattie: G; 6' 5"; Sophomore

#34 Akira Jacobs: F; 6' 10"; Sophomore

#22 Ryan Rapp: G; 6' 5"; Senior

#32 Tanner Christensen: C; 6' 10"; Graduate Student

#4 Marcus Greene: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#30 Aaron Hunkin-Claytor: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#5 Gytis Nemeikša: F; 6' 8"; Senior

#11 Jacopo Van der Knaap: G; 6' 5"; Freshman

#13 Roy Igwe: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#20 Jerome Palm: F/C; 6' 10"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#2 Tom Beattie
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: G

#34 Akira Jacobs
: 6' 10"; Sophomore
: F

#22 Ryan Rapp
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G

#32 Tanner Christensen
: 6' 10"; Graduate Student
: C

#4 Marcus Greene
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#30 Aaron Hunkin-Claytor
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#5 Gytis Nemeikša
: 6' 8"; Senior
: F

#11 Jacopo Van der Knaap
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: G

#13 Roy Igwe
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#20 Jerome Palm
: 6' 10"; Graduate Student
: F/C