The University of Hawaii basketball team has gone from bubble to sparkling energy.

A year ago at this time, restrictions related to the pandemic included banning Rainbow Warriors from their locker room, taking take-out meals, practicing in small groups while wearing masks, and receiving passes. gloved coaches. This year, the ‘Bows were one of the first UH teams to be fully vaccinated, allowing them to participate freely – and enthusiastically – during off-season practice.

The ‘Bows opened training camp on Wednesday, with head coach Eran Ganot marveling at the in-person conference with reporters.

“A first in two years,” said Ganot, who interviewed Zoom during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Ganot spoke about the new players, the old players and the two “new-olds”.

Samuta Avea, a 6ft 6in wing, essentially took a year off when he retired from the 2020-21 season. The Kahuku High graduate trained in Utah, where his mother grew up, and Las Vegas, before joining the ‘Bows’ in the spring. Post player Bernardo da Silva played five games before missing the rest of last season due to injury. Ganot said 6-foot-9 da Silva “attacked” his rehab and returned to his form two years ago.

“He’s had a hell of a freshman year,” Ganot said of da Silva. “To be honest he’s back where he was (in 2019-2020) and more. You can tell confidence, not just in his health. He’s a third year guy in our program. He is stronger. He’s bigger. The game has slowed down for him. … There is another level where he will move forward.

Da Silva gives the ‘Bows’ a versatile job rotation. Mate Colina, who is 7 feet tall, has become an active defenseman who can mix everything up in the post. He has already signed a forward contract to play football – Australian Football League – with Richmond, a suburb of Melbourne. He will be the greatest player in AFL history.

Jerome Desrosiers, a transfer from Princeton, and rookie Brock Heffner – both 6-7 – are versatile forwards.

The announced addition is Kamaka Hepa, a 6-10 transfer from Texas. As a high school student, Hepa was ranked as the country’s 47th best basketball prospect. The 247Sports recruiting service gave it a 4-star rating. Hepa has played 60 games – 12 starts – with the Longhorn, which finished ninth in the Associated Press regular season poll.

“The past three months have been great,” Hepa said. “I arrived at the beginning of July. I get used to the environment. I like it here. I like the situation off the pitch and I like the situation on the pitch. I think Coach Ganot is building something special here, and we have all the pieces to do what we want to do.

Hepa grew up in Alaska before spending his final two years of high school in Portland. Her father was born and raised in Kauai. He has several relatives in Kauai and Maui.

Hepa entered the transfer portal after Texas coach Shaka Smart left for Marquette. “The background was there,” Ganot said of UH’s hiring of Hepa. “There was a connection there. Right away, when we were allowed to reach out and contact, we did. You obviously had people around who helped too.

Hepa said of his decision: “I immediately felt it in my heart. It was home away from home.

Hepa trained as a power striker. But with his handling of the ball and a smooth outside shot, Hepa can get through all points of the attack. Ganot cited Jack Purchase and Noel Allen among the Division I transfers that have thrived in UH’s programs. Of Hepa, Ganot said, “I think he’s going to make some of the biggest strides over the year.”

Ganot said Hepa has already earned the respect of his teammates and lived up to expectations. “I don’t feel too much pressure because I know the work we do as a team is more important than anything I can do,” Hepa said. “If I can continue to focus on how I can help my teammates and how I can help my coaches, things will go as they should. “