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Let the practices begin

All of the running, weightlifting and extra shooting during the summer can finally come into play now for the University of Hawai’i basketball team. Official practices got underway on Monday afternoon at the Stan Sheriff Center.

“I think we did a pretty good job; everybody was focused – a lot of teaching by the coaches,” senior forward/center Davis Rozitis said. “Great first practice.”

Rozitis is among a handful of key returnees on the 2013-14 roster. He spent most of the summer in his home country of Latvia, which of course meant that DaBeast Froductions was on a summer break.

With the practices now officially underway, it is also time to present the first episode of DaBeast Froductions. In the video above, Rozitis and sophomore Isaac Fotu interview some of the other members of the team after the conclusion of the opening practice.

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Here is the official release from the UH Media Relations office:

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team ushered in the 2013-14 season with its first official practice as fourth-year head coach Gib Arnold and his Rainbow Warriors conducted an energetic three hour-session Monday afternoon.

It was an earlier start than usual for hoops season, which in years past kicked off practice about a month before the regular season opened. New NCAA regulations allow programs added time—up to 42 days before its opener—to hold a maximum of 30 practices.

Hawai’i returns six letterwinners and three starters from last year’s squad that finished 17-5 overall and 10-8 in its first season in the Big West. Among the returnees is all-Big West forward Christian Standhardinger who paced the team in scoring (15.8 ppg), field goal percentage (.510) and steals (45), while finishing second on the team in rebounds (7.9 rpg). Also back in the frontcourt is reigning Big West Co-Freshman of the Year Isaac Fotu (10.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg). Other key contributors returning are sophomore guard Brandon Jawato (team leader in 3FGM) and senior center Davis Rozitis (team’s defensive MVP).

Point guard Keith Shamburger is among four returning redshirts and will finally be able to suit up for game action this year after sitting out last year upon his transfer from San Jose State. Meanwhile seven new players join the Rainbow Warriors – junior college transfers Garrett Nevels (Mount San Antonio College) and Quincy Smith (City College of San Francisco); prepsters Niko Filipovich (Bishop Montgomery HS), Jack Hackman (Jesuit HS), Stefan Jovanovic (Bishop Mongomery HS) and Mike Thomas (El Camino Real HS); and Division I transfer Negus Webster-Chan (Missouri) who is allowed to practice with the team, but will sit out this season per NCAA transfer rules.

Fans will get their first extended glimpse of this year’s team when it holds its Green & White Scrimmage at the Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday, Oct. 19. UH opens its regular-season on Friday, Nov. 8 versus Tennessee State in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Rainbow Classic.

18 Comments

  1. The time has arrived UH MBB team Ohana. Work hard on court , do well in classroom, work hard as a team, and you will win championships! It will pay off, your dedication!!

    Well fans, we have waited some 5 months, till this start, hopefully March 2014, UH will go to a dance, NIT or NCAA’s!

    Uhfanzonly1.

  2. Rainbow Warriors, go to battle, and compete. You can win the BWC and go to NCAA’s!!

    You guys look in great shape, learn well and play solid D, defend penetration and the 3.!!
    Shoot well, take care of the ball, and keep the ohana spirit going. You guys will have great season!

    Go Rainbow Warriors!
    😀

  3. jack Hackman….actually urkel…..nevels makes noise he’ll be in that starting lineup with sham, spear, stan and fotu

  4. Hey DaVeast,

    You finally back with the FINAL year of Froductions (fun over?)!

    Do looked nervous, uncertain. Very uncharacteristic of the tallest guy with 5-yrs of D1 EXPERIENCE!?
    Maybe realizing that the #3 captain’s responsibilities had overwhelmed you –
    Have no fear, Capt #1 ‘hard(inger) or Capt #2 Spear(man) will soften it for you.
    You got the kind of LUCK that everyone wished to have had.

    There aren’t going to be a six’er. Your best contribution will help better the TEAM goal successes start from NOW (Gib let you be a starer!).

    May your payback everything in the fif’er TACTICS works to perfection (300% better?).
    Hawaii desperately wants that; Deservingly so considered the number of scholie vested !

  5. The team remains as diverse as ever which is great to see. It’s part of what makes UH hoops special. The lessons the players are learning, about how to not only overcome their differences but actually begin to enjoy them and ultimately leverage them as a source of strength, will benefit these guys long after their basketball days are over.

  6. No Fear Airon V. Flyin High this Year!

    You and Mike Thomas, dual dunk threats!

    Go Rainbow Warriors!
    😀

    Just gotta play D, run sets, hustle for 50/50 ball, weakside rebounding and shot blocking, as well as occasional floater and 3 ball, Run, run, run, and FLYYYYYY!

    AV and MT, high flyers, GN, QS, wow!
    😀

  7. In behalf of WI Ohana, and UH MBB fans and supporters, heartfelt sympathy to Negus on loss of two family members. Take care Negus, you have a lot of support here as well as in Toronto.

    Uhfanzonly1.

  8. Incidentally the current TEAM exceedingly portrayed the ideal foundational team that Gib has gone Worldwide recruiting to mold and form. Who happily alluded satisfaction, one year ahead of expected schedule!

    This youthful, energetic scholar-athletic group (largest ever – unexpectedly) excelled and adhered to all things he set forth to challenge them with. They done it with class, competing with brotherly love, out to improve each other.. persuading TEAM goal.

    These, are the Aloha Spirit, Ohana concept in Hawaiian Paradise; The Best in the World.

  9. Kioara from Aotearoa.

    Official day of practice, getting near to watching some basketball games, very excited about this current group of players putting a show for us all. The weather here in New Zealand is getting warmer as we coming into our spring season and when this happens we know summer season is around the corner. Likewise, with the official training season underway, the time to do battle on the court is not far away, exciting times.

    Playhoopsa, Uhfanzonly1, n2o4joy, eagle, Fuha, Aussie mum and all UHMBB fans…. Lets get ready to RRRRRUUUMMMBBBBLLLEEE!!!!!

    Go the mighty WARRIORS

  10. FINALLY , THE WARRIORS HAVE RETURNED TO STAN SHERRIF CENTER, OPENED FALL PRACTICE ! IT’S BIG WEST TITLE OR BUST!

  11. Greetings, The Tonganator & Aloha to your Family,

    I had had my anxious moments this past Summer when heard about the bad news that Big Isaac was have visa delay humbug on his returning to Hawaii so,
    when his presence for his National Fire Protection Co team of the Summer League, served as double-pleasure to me in that game!

    Coach Gib did mentioned that “Isaac doesn’t travel well on road-games!”.
    Not to mention the depression of parting with home & loving Ohana, after a loooong flight from the Land of Kiwes..
    He did not looked his athletic usual self.. jet-lagged effect still hung-on to him that evening. Got me concerned about his wellbeing.
    Sorry for what happened to his knee. Glad that he is recovering well.
    With all the doctor’s ordered rehab now, the TEAM’s grinding + get bigger-stronger-faster, etc.. really put him in a protective armor all over him for the entire season.

    Let us just relaxed and share the fruits of their pre-season long hard-work of this INCOMPARABLE TEAM!

    PS: Would you & family be seating next-behind the TEAM’s bench in the DHC Championship game this Xmas Day?

  12. Great start to the season. Looking forward to more of the inside scoops from the Warrior Insider. Still impressed by CS taking the King of the Beach trophy, again, and DR taking second. Expecting the best from our bigs this year.

  13. Hey Tonganator any chance of Issac’s sister going to the women’s team in the future?

  14. Yes ! Tonganator,
    Emma Most Welcome here
    Brother & ‘Ohana, including Ashleigh Karaitiana, await…creating a Perfect Safe Haven
    Coach Beeman and Staff very good coaching and caring…

    Go (to) The Mighty Na Wahine!

    Endless Poke supply via Isaac
    Endless Video Connection Via Froductions….

    Blow Away Our Greatest Expectations Rainbow Warriors!

  15. n2o4joy I believe Isaac is really looking forward to this season. I hope to get seats behind the team bench for me and his ohana, grandparents and friends (there will be about 16 of us) during DHC.

    Rob T and Eagle, Isaac’s sister Ella would love to join the Na Wahine team. She got one more year at High School so looking at 2015 intake. She got tape on youtube “Gabriella Fotu” and will add more onto this after senior year at high school 2014.

    Shout out to Dayton for his tireless work all year round and this can only make possible by sponsors.

    Looking forward to reading all the views and analysis from this forum during the season.

  16. Good hilite video on Ella Tonganator! She can play ball! Always in motion, high energy, shoots with either hand, strong, doesn’t mind contact. She is going to be a good find for USA NCAA D1 team, hopefully Coach Beeman watches the posted Youtube videos, Hope Ella has a great final year of high school!

    Imagine, if Isaac and Ella Fotu, MBB and WBB, would be perhaps a first at the University, a brother and sister playing simultaneouslyfor same school!

    Mahalo for video link!

    Go Rainbow Warriors!
    😀

  17. Tonganator & Ohana:

    Mahalo, for Video and Info on ELLA
    (Sorry, Gabriella — Too Pretty a Name, to mess it up again)

  18. Tonganator, with due respect, Isaac, he of the beautiful Fro and BB game, as well as younger sister Gabriella, a NZ junior national champion MVP! 5’10” and solid, athletic. Her game reminds me some of Shawna Lei-Kuehu with LB WBB team. Great lineage.

    Mr and Mrs Fotu, Isaac and Ella are two very good , attractive looking athletes, who are winners! Comes from good stock from Mr and Mrs Fotu. If they were both playing for UH next season, Isaac as Jr, and Ella as an impact Freshman, they would both have legion of fans.

    Be proud Tonganator, your progeny are doing well in sports and hopefully in school, which I am sure there are!

    Would love to see Ella take WBB to next level as well as Isaac take UH with his team to next level, back to back to back NCAA tourneys!!

    Shout to little, now growing, Big younger brother, of Isaac and Ella. Maybe he will be rugby, or another PF , or Center for UH MBB!!

    Go Rainbow Warriors, and Mr and Mrs Fotu, Mahalo Plenty for sharing your son and possibly daughter with UH BB program!

    They are good children!!

    Go Rainbow Warriors!
    😀

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