Viewing Vander in China
Half a world away from the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii basketball team found a teammate in China.
Vander Joaquim, the starting center for the Warriors last season, is currently playing for the Angola national team.
The Warriors landed in Guangzhou, China, on Sunday, Aug. 7, and Angola happened to be playing in the Stankovic Cup in that same city. The Warriors went to watch Angola play Russia that night and cheer for Joaquim.
“Yeah, it’s pretty amazing that we’re all the way here in China and Vander is here with the Angola national team,” Hawaii head coach Gib Arnold said. “I wanted to make sure we showed up as a team to show our support for Vander, and I think all the guys wanted to see him as well.”
Joaquim did not start against Russia, but he came off the bench to score nine points, including a dunk that had the Warriors roaring their approval from courtside. After the dunk, Joaquim pointed in the direction of his teammates as he ran downcourt.
Joaquim will remain with the Angola national team through August, as it tries to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
Arnold is reassuring fans that he expects Joaquim to return to the Warriors next season, even if the 6-foot-10 junior makes the Angola Olympic team.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be back,” Arnold said. “Even if I have to go to Angola to get him.”
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Awesome vids! Just a minor suggestion… It would be great if you could add the date that these games are played, since there’s a big time gap. Hope Gib goes all out for Vander to come back. Recruiting your own guys to come back is part of the game too.
man what a good kid and liking the bald look from ending of season lol. i know gib will really talk him into coming back as fast as possible because without him we lose close games. i really don’t care as much as getting the b&b over Vander.
Experiences like what Vander is doing now playing with his national team only help to strengthen his game. Coach Gib is really gaining some momentum as far as taking the program in the right direction. I hope Coach stays for a long long time even after he finds immense success. GO BOWS!!!
Did Vander lose a tooth or two?
Good coverage, Dayton. Good to see all these videos coming in. Thanks.:)
Looks like Vander put on a little weight — and good weight, too. Well, let’s hope he’s back here by the end of the month. With the returnees plus Shaq and Brereton, they’ll be solid with only quality depth a problem. Unless, of course, they get Blakes and/or Biggs, which seems more and more like a long shot. Tough losing quality (basketball-wise) high school recruits when you’re trying to build a program.