Men’s Basketball Headed To Australia For Foreign Tour

HONOLULU — The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is heading Down Under for an international goodwill tour of Sydney, Australia, from August 6-13. The Rainbow Warriors will spend the entire week based in Sydney, combining elite competition against professional clubs with cultural and team-building experiences in one of the world's most iconic cities.

This trip marks the program's first foreign tour since traveling to Japan in 2023, and represents an exciting return to Australia following the program's first-ever trip to the continent in 2018.

The tour comes at a pivotal moment as UH takes advantage of a recent NCAA rule change that permits Division I basketball programs to embark on international tours every academic year. Previously, teams were restricted to foreign tours every four years. Per NCAA rules, UH is allowed 10 extra practices to help prepare for the tour.

"The timing of this NCAA rule change is perfect for where college basketball is today," said UH head coach Eran Ganot. "In this era of unprecedented roster turnover, being able to take our guys on a foreign tour is a huge benefit. With 11 newcomers on our 13-man roster, the 10 extra days of practice and the games themselves are critical. Just as important are the shared experiences off the floor in a world-class city like Sydney. It'll help accelerate our chemistry and lay the foundation for our culture. You can't replicate that kind of team bonding."

On the court, the Rainbow Warriors will face high-level professional competition in closed exhibition scrimmages. UH will tip off against the NBL's Illawarra Hawks on August 10th, followed by a clash with the Sydney Kings on August 12th. Both scrimmages will be closed to the public but will serve as intensive preparation for both the Rainbow Warriors and their professional counterparts.

While in Sydney, the team will also participate in cultural and educational activities. The team's itinerary features excursions to iconic landmarks, including visits to the Sydney Harbour, the world-renowned Sydney Aquarium, and a trip to the summit of the Sydney Tower.

The journey to Australia represents a homecoming of sorts for the Rainbow Warriors, who boast a rich tradition of Australian student-athletes. The 'Bows have had at least one Australian player on the roster during each of Eran Ganot's 11 years as head coach. That pipeline continues this season with senior center Bol Dengdit, a Melbourne native, and sophomore wing Lueth Awan, who hails from Sydney. Further, Australian basketball legend Patty Mills, a five-time Olympian and NBA champion, serves as the program's general manager.

"Hawai'i and Australia share a truly unique connection that goes far beyond basketball," Ganot said. "As the closest Division I program to the continent, we've always felt a special kinship. The active, outdoor lifestyle, the genuine warmth of the people, and the deep-seated commitment to family and community align perfectly with our team's core values. Returning to Australia is incredibly special."

This historic journey was made possible through a collaboration with Hawaiian Airlines, Aussie Basketball Travelers and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

"We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all involved, especially the Hawaii Tourism Authority for their visionary support and tireless work in getting this tour off the ground," said Ganot. "A tour of this scale represents a massive undertaking, and their belief in our program and our student-athletes has made it a reality. This trip not only develops our basketball team, but it serves as a wonderful platform to strengthen the cultural, economic, and tourism ties between the State of Hawai'i and Australia. We are incredibly proud to represent our school and islands abroad."

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Players Mentioned

#24 Bol Dengdit: F/C; 6' 11"; Senior

Lueth Awan: G; 6' 7"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#24 Bol Dengdit
: 6' 11"; Senior
: F/C

Lueth Awan
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: G

Players Mentioned

#24 Bol Dengdit

Lueth Awan

Players Mentioned

#24 Bol Dengdit

Lueth Awan