HILO, Hawai'i – When the Vulcans hit the court in just about a month's time away, the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Basketball team will have 10 new faces added in as part of the incoming recruit class for head coach Kaniela Aiona's fifth season.
The incoming class features two COVID-eligibility transfers, seven junior transfers and just one freshman.
"We are excited," Aiona said. "They fit very well with our returning group and with how we want to operate as a program on and off the court. The depth, skill and attitude of this squad will allow for another season of highly competitive basketball. Let's Go Hilo!"
The Vulcans return five players from a squad that made a third-consecutive trip to the Pacific West Conference Championships, dropping a close contest in the semifinal round to top-seeded Point Loma. Hawai'i Hilo replaces seven departures — five to graduation/exhausted eligibility.
Hawai'i Hilo will get its season officially started at the top of November but not before hosting UH Manoa for an exhibition as part of a weekend of fun in late October. Full season schedule to be released shortly.
G | 5'11 | 5TH | Laurel, MD | Kahuku HS / Chaminade + UH Manoa
» Spent four years at Chaminade University of Honolulu (Hawai'i)
» Played in 65 games with 10 starts over four seasons with the Silverswords
» Scored 17 points against the Vulcans in his collegiate debut on Jan. 30, 2021
» Career High: 19 Points (8-13 FG, 7 AST) vs HPU (Feb. 12, 2021)
» NABC Honors Court (x3), Academic All-PacWest Team (x4)
» 2024 (Spring) B.A. Religious Studies (Chaminade)
» 2024 (Spring) B.S. Psychology (Chaminade)
» Spent one year at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa
» 2017 graduate of Kahuku High School (Hawai'i)
» Played three seasons of varsity basketball at Martinsburg HS (West Virgina)
» Younger brother Telryn is also a member of the Vulcans Men's Basketball team (2022-2025)
Major: Administration of Justice + Communication
G | 6'7 | 5TH | Cohassett, MA | Dexter Southfield / Stonehill College + William & Mary
» Spent two years at Stonehill College (Massachusetts)
» Played in 61 games with 32 starts in two seasons with the Skyhawks
» Spent two years at William & Mary (Virginia)
» Appeared in 22 games with two starts through two seasons with the Tribe
» 2019 graduate of Dexter Southfield (Massachusetts)
» Played club for WrightWay Skills
Major: Communication
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "The strong sense of community and incredible sights."
G | 6'4 | JR-R | Mission Viejo, CA | Mission Viejo HS / Irvine Valley College
» Spent two years at Irvine Valley College (California) playing for coach Jerry Hernandez
» Honors: 2023-24 All-Orange Empire Conference Second Team Guard
» Started in 52 games over two seasons with the Lasers
» Shot 40.6 percent from the field (40.4 percent from three-point range), averaging 9.5 points per game
» Scored 28 points on 8-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc in a 67-55 win vs Santa Ana (Feb. 9, 2024)
» 2024 (Spring) A.A. Social & Behavioral Sciences
» 2021 graduate of Mission Viejo High School (California)
» Played two seasons of varsity basketball for coach Troy Roelen
» First Name: Lucas
Major: Business Administration
F | 6'4 | JR | Corona, CA | Santiago HS / Chaffey College
» Spent two years at Chaffey College (California) playing for coach Jeff Klein
» Played in 55 games, making 41 starts through two seasons with the Panthers
» 2023-24 Inland Empire Athletic Conference Champion
» All-Inland Empire Athletic Conference First Team (x2)
» Scored a career-high 30 points (11-18 FG) in a one-point win vs Cerro Coso (Feb. 17, 2023)
» 2022 graduate of Santiago High School (California)
» Played four seasons of varsity basketball for coach Ronnie Ford
Major: Kinesiology & Exercise Sciences
G | 6'3 | JR | Pascagoula, MS | Pascagoula HS / Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
» Spent two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Mississippi) playing for coach Owen Miller
» Played in 38 games with 10 starts through two seasons with the Bulldogs
» 2023-24 NJCAA Region 23 Championship Runner-Up
» Shot 44.6 percent from beyond the arc
» Scored a career-high 23 points (8-13 FG, 5-6 3PT) in a win vs Piney Woods Prep (Dec. 4, 2023)
» 2024 (Spring) Associate of Arts
» 2022 graduate of Pascagoula High School (Mississippi)
» Played four seasons of varsity basketball for coach Lorenzo Wright
» Honors: 2021-22 Magnolia Sports Association All-Star
» Other Sports: Baseball, Football
Major: Kinesiology & Exercise Sciences
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "I built a great connection with the coaches before making my decision."
G | 6'4 | JR | Tampa, FL | Heritage HS / Gavilan
» Spent two years at Gavilan College (California) playing for coaches Henry Anyiam, Moe Llanes, Derek Jensen
» Played in and started 55 games through two seasons with the Rams
» Averaged 10.0 points per game on 45.3-percent shooting with 4.8 rebounds/game and 5.2 assists/game
» Honors: All-Coast Conference South Team (x2)
» 2024 (Spring) A.A. Liberal Arts
» Spent one year at Golden State Prep
» 2021 graduate of Heritage High School (California)
» Played two seasons of varsity basketball for coaches Carly Perales, Marchs Barnes
» Honors: Bay Valley Athletic League All-Star (x2)
» Played club for Rose City Ballers
» Nickname: Zay
Major: Communication
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "I wanted to go somewhere that had a family-like culture, was connected with their community and had a history of developing their players."
G | 5'11 | JR | Chicago, IL | Chicago Prep Sports Academy / Roosevelt
» Spent two years at Roosevelt University (Illinois) playing for coach Dee Brown
» Played in 56 games (54 starts) through two seasons with the Lakers
» 2023-24 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Regular Season Champion
» Honors: 2023-24 All-CCAC Second Team Guard, 2022-23 CCAC All-Freshman Team Guard
» Averaged 15.6 points per game on 41.2-percent shooting
» Posted a career-high 38 points (14-22 FG) in a win vs Lawrence Tech (Nov. 3, 2023)
» 2023-24 CCAC All-Academic Team, 2023-24 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete
» 2022 graduate of Chicago Prep Sports Academy (Illinois)
» Played one season of basketball at Chicago Prep Sports Academy (Illinois)
» Played three seasons of varsity basketball for coach Pat Gordon at Lincoln Park High School (Illinois)
» Regional Champion, Conference Champion (x2)
» Honors: All-City Player (x3)
» Played club for Mac Irvin Fire
» Nickname: Ju
Major: Communication
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "To win the PacWest Conference Championship and the National Championship."
G | 6'4 | JR | Forth Worth, TX | James W. Martin HS / Fort Scott CC
» Spent two years at Fort Scott Community College (Texas) playing for coach Blake Cochran
» Played in 64 games, making 55 starts through two seasons with the Greyhounds
» 2022-23 NJCAA Rank: No. 1 Steals (113)
» Career High: Nine Steals vs Ottawa (Nov. 6, 2023)
» Career High: 33 points vs Link Year Prep (Dec. 7, 2022)
» Honors: 2022-23 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Defensive Player of the Year, 2022-23 NJCAA Rising Stars All-Star, 2022-23 JUCO Advocate 48 Showcase
» 2022 graduate of Martin High School (Texas)
» Played one season of varsity basketball for coach John Osborn
» Honors: 2021-22 Class 8A-6A All-District Second Team
» Nickname: Dre
Major: Business Administration – Finance
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "I was interested in learning Hawaiian culture."
F | 6'10 | JR | Phoenix, AZ | Bella Vista College Prep / Central Wyoming
» Spent two years at Central Wyoming College playing for coach Brad Schmitt
» Played in 59 games, making 46 starts over two seasons with the Rustlers
» Averaged 13.5 points per game on 47.7 percent shooting
» Posted a career-high 26 points (10-19 FG) vs Dawson CC (Nov. 11, 2023)
» 2024 (Spring) A.A. Psychology
» 2022 graduate of Bella Vista College Prep (Arizona)
» Played two seasons of varsity basketball
» Nickname: Juice
Major: Psychology
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "I wanted to go to a school where I can compete, get better everyday and win."
G | 6'4 | FR | Concord, CA | Northgate HS
» 2024 graduate of Northgate High School (California)
» Played two seasons of varsity basketball for coach Brian McCoy
» Honors: 2023-24 Diablo Athletic League All-League Third Team
» Nickname: D-Lou
Major: Business Administration
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "It just felt like the right place to learn and grow as a basketball player and as a person."
