University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott announced on April 21 the appointment of Khalilah Mitchell as the ninth head coach of the .

Mitchell, an integral figure in UH’s ascent to Big West prominence over seven seasons as an assistant coach, succeeds Laura Beeman, who announced her retirement on March 30 to cap a 14-year tenure as head coach.

Mitchell agreed to an initial three-year term with UH, and her promotion marks the start of a new era for Rainbow Wahine basketball in two significant ways. UH will join the Mountain West as a full member effective July 1, while welcoming new leadership atop the women’s basketball program.

“After an extensive search that drew interest from across the country, it became clear that the best leader for our program was already right here in Mānoa,” Elliott said. “Khalilah Mitchell embodies everything we look for in a head coach: integrity, a relentless work ethic, and a deep-seated passion for the student-athletes. She has played an instrumental role in our championship culture, and demonstrated that she is ready to be our head coach. I am confident she is the right person to lead the Rainbow Wahine into this next chapter.”

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named the head coach of the University of �鶹��ý women’s basketball program,” Mitchell said. “I want to thank Matt Elliott for his trust in me. �鶹��ý has become my home, and these student-athletes are my family. Coach Beeman set a standard of excellence here that is unmatched, and I am eager to build upon that foundation. Our goal remains the same, to compete for championships and represent this state and this university with pride.”

Mitchell first joined the UH Mānoa coaching staff in 2018 and helped guide the Rainbow Wahine to four postseason appearances and three Big West regular-season championships. The ‘Bows went 124-81 during her tenure as an assistant and posted at least 20 wins in each of her last four seasons with the program.

“Khalilah Mitchell is a proven leader with a strong commitment to player development and a deep understanding of the Rainbow Wahine program,” UH President Wendy Hensel said. “As an integral part of our recent success, she brings continuity, credibility and a clear vision for the future. We’re confident she will build on the foundation established by Coach Beeman and continue to elevate our student-athletes on and off the court.”

Mitchell will be formally introduced as head coach at a press conference on April 22.

.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Athletics reached an agreement in principle to extend the contract of head coach Eran Ganot, Athletics Director Matt Elliott announced, April 7.

The extension, which is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, will keep Ganot at the helm as the Rainbow Warriors prepare for their transition to the Mountain West Conference.

“In navigating the transfer portal and new NIL landscape to lead UH back to the NCAA Tournament, Coach Ganot has proven to be the right leader for our future as we transition to the Mountain West Conference,” Elliott said. “He has cultivated a ‘student-first’ philosophy and ensured our student-athletes excel in the classroom and the community in alignment with our department’s vision for excellence.”

Ganot has led UH Mānoa since 2015, compiling nearly 200 career wins and guiding the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. This past season, he led the Rainbow Warriors to a 24–9 record and a Big West Championship, further cementing his place among the program’s most successful coaches.

“I want to thank President Hensel and Matt Elliott for the opportunity to continue leading this program and for their incredible support of our vision,” Ganot said. “My family and I love this university and this community. We are eager to continue what we started here, building off our recent Big West Championship as we prepare for the exciting challenge of moving into the Mountain West Conference. I fully understand the responsibility that comes with guiding this program; our goal remains to win at the highest level and represent �鶹��ý with pride. I also want to thank our fans—the best in the country—for their unwavering loyalty. We can’t wait to see you back in the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.”

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa head coach Laura Beeman has announced her retirement from coaching. Beeman, the eighth head coach in program history, departs after 14 seasons at the helm of the Rainbow Wahine. She will remain with the university to lead the program during the transition period until a new head coach is named.

“Laura Beeman’s impact on this program and this university cannot be overstated,” UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “She has consistently maintained a standard of excellence that places her among the very best coaches in the history of UH Athletics. We thank her for her unwavering commitment to this university and for developing a generation of Rainbow Wahine basketball student-athletes.”

During the 2025—26 season, Beeman guided the Rainbow Wahine to a 22-11 overall record and a 14-6 mark in Big West Conference play, finishing fourth in the standings. The season concluded a five-year run in which the program maintained a consistent presence at the top of the conference, including a 22-10 record and a regular-season title the previous year.

Beeman finishes her tenure at UH with an all-time coaching record of 244-180 (.575). Her 244 victories rank second in program history, trailing only Vince Goo. In conference play, she amassed a 160-79 (.669) record, further solidifying her status as one of the most successful coaches in the Big West era.

“Representing the university and state of �鶹��ý has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Beeman said. “I am incredibly grateful to the student-athletes, administrators, and the people of �鶹��ý who made this an unbelievable ride. It is with a full heart I hand my whistle over to the next coach of the Rainbow Wahine.”

Historic milestones

Under Beeman’s leadership, the Rainbow Wahine achieved several historic milestones. She led the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2016, 2022 and 2023) and nine total postseason berths. In 2022, she directed the team to both the Big West regular-season and tournament championships in the same season, a feat never before accomplished in program history.

In addition to on-court success, Beeman’s programs were defined by academic excellence. The Rainbow Wahine recently set a program-record multi-year Academic Progress Rate score of 995 and have frequently posted perfect single-year scores of 1,000. The program posted a 3.49 team GPA in the fall semester.

The university will begin a national search for her successor immediately.

For the entire story and Beeman’s statement, visit the .

University of �鶹��ý at Hilo women’s and men’s basketball teams each placed three student-athletes on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team for the 2025–26 season.

Women’s basketball

• Kaile Cruz
• Melanie Hiu
• Mindy Kawaha

Men’s basketball

• Fabio Da Rocha
• Jamal Entezami
• Julio Montes II

Awardees hold a 3.50 or higher cumulative grade-point average (with at least sophomore standing) with participation in 90% of games (or starting 66%) during the season.

Cruz, Hiu, Kawaha and Montes II are repeat selections.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa basketball players Rebecca Moors and Ritorya Tamilo were named to the , and Isaac Finlinson and Isaiah Kerr earned spots on the , announced by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).

Moors and Tamilo helped UH Mānoa craft a 22–11 season and an appearance in the Big West Championship game.

Finlinson and Kerr were key to helping UH Mānoa finish with a 24–9 record while capturing the Big West Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the team’s first appearance in the Big Dance in a decade.

The academic qualification for the Academic All-District Teams is a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade-point average. Nominated student-athletes must have participated in at least 90% of the season’s games or started in 66% of the games.

Academic All-District honorees are considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Academic All-America honorees will be announced on April 15.

Read more at .

The No. 13 seed (24–9) saw its 2026 season come to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to No. 4 seed Arkansas 97–78 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

Senior guard Dre Bullock led the ‘Bows with 21 points and eight rebounds. Senior center Isaac Johnson added 15 points, and junior forward Isaac Finlinson contributed 12.

“It’s an honor to go through this battle with this group who represented our state, our university, athletic department, basketball, the NCAA, the incredible Big West Conference,” Head Coach Eran Ganot said.

The Rainbow Warriors earned the Big West’s automatic bid after winning the conference championship on March 14 over UC Irvine in Henderson, Nevada, 71–64.

Three players from UH Mānoa earned All-Big West conference honors after a standout 2025–26 season. Johnson was named to the All-Big West First Team, while Bullock earned a spot on the Second Team and Hunter Erickson received honorable mention. The trio helped lead UH Mānoa to a major turnaround this season. After finishing ninth in the conference a year ago, the Rainbow Warriors posted their third 20-win season in the past four years and entered the Big West Tournament as a No. 2 seed.

“Shout out our fans. They showed up in Portland, they showed up in Vegas, they show up in �鶹��ý, Cali, wherever we’re going to,” Bullock said. “Our fans are always there supporting us—definitely meant a lot. I mean, didn’t get the job done what we wanted to, but I’m just happy to put on this uniform, play our hearts out there and leave it all out there on the floor.”

Johnson added, “It’s been an amazing experience and we’re just so grateful for every opportunity that we’ve had to represent the state of �鶹��ý.”

This season marked UH Mānoa’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 10 years. In 2016, the Rainbow Warriors upset the Cal Golden Bears in the opening round, marking the program’s only victory in the NCAA Tournament.

For more on the Rainbow Warriors’ history in the NCAA Tournament, .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa basketball player Isaac Johnson earned a spot on the 2025–26 Division I Pacific District First Team, announced by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Johnson is the only Big West athlete represented on the 10-player first team. This is the latest accolade for the senior center who was a first-team all-Big West selection. On March 14, Johnson was named the Big West Championship tournament MVP after leading the Rainbow Warriors to their first conference tournament title and NCAA bid in a decade.

Johnson leads the team in scoring (14.1 points per game), blocks (34) and free throw percentage (88.5%), and is second in rebounding (5.8 per game).

UH Mānoa is gearing up for its NCAA first-round matchup with Arkansas on March 19 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The Rainbow Warriors take on the Razorbacks at 10:25 a.m. HST, with the game airing on TBS.

The all-district honors are voted on by NABC member coaches across NCAA Division I. To view the full list of honorees, visit .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Rainbow Warriors men’s basketball captured the Big West Men’s Basketball Championship with a 71–64 victory over the UC Irvine Anteaters on Saturday, March 14, earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in the team’s final conference game before moving to the Mountain West Conference.

The team found out on Selection Sunday that they will face No. 4 Arkansas on Thursday, March 19 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The Warriors earned a No. 13 ranking.

�鶹��ý (23 wins this season) returned to the conference title game for just the third time in program history and the first time since 2016.

UH hustled on defense putting up 10 blocks, several in key moments in the final minutes. Isaac Johnson led four Rainbow Warriors in double figures with a game-high 22 points and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Harry Rouhliadeff posted his second straight double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Dre Bullock symbolically punctuated the victory with a windmill dunk. Isaiah Kerr added 10 key points off the bench.

The win also represented a full-circle moment for the program under head coach Eran Ganot, whose debut season in 2015–16 produced a school-record 28 wins and a Big West title. This year’s 23 victories mark the most for �鶹��ý since that championship and the last invitation to the Big Dance.

The championship matchup capped a season-long rivalry between �鶹��ý and UC Irvine, which split the regular-season series. The Rainbow Warriors claimed a dramatic 67–66 win in Honolulu on January 10, on Hunter Erickson’s buzzer-beating shot, while the Anteaters answered with an 87–76 overtime victory in Irvine on January 29.

The championship comes after a rebound season for the Rainbow Warriors, who did not qualify for last year’s Big West Tournament after finishing with their only losing conference record in 14 years.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa collected two major awards and five total honorees in the Big West Conference.

Bailey Flavell was named Big West Freshman of the Year, while sophomore center Ritorya Tamilo earned the conference’s Best Sixth Player award.

Imani Perez earned All-Big West Second Team and All-Defensive Team honors for the third consecutive season. She was joined on the second team by Saniyah Neverson and Flavell. Keiara Curtis also received recognition, earning a spot on the All-Freshman Team alongside Flavell.

Flavell becomes the fifth Rainbow Wahine player to win Big West Freshman of the Year and the second in as many seasons.

Together, the group helped lead the Rainbow Wahine to a strong regular season heading into the upcoming Big West postseason tournament.

Read more at .

Three players from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa earned All-Big West conference honors after a standout 2025–26 season.

Isaac Johnson was named to the All-Big West First Team, while Dre Bullock earned a spot on the Second Team and Hunter Erickson received honorable mention.

The trio helped lead �鶹��ý to a major turnaround this season. After finishing ninth in the conference a year ago, the Rainbow Warriors climbed into title contention and posted their third 20-win season in the past four years.

The Rainbow Warriors now turn their focus to the 2026 Credit Union 1 Big West Championship, set for March 11–14 in Nevada. The No. 2 seed Rainbow Warriors received a double-bye and will open play in the semifinals on March 13, at 5:30 p.m. HT, facing either Cal State Fullerton, UC Davis or UC Santa Barbara.

Read more at .

Many basketball fans remember the landmark playing days of University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s Anthony “AC” Carter.

There was the season opening win over legendary coach Bob Knight and No. 21 Indiana to kick off the 1997–98 campaign and perhaps most notably the Rainbow Classic championship battle against eventual NBA great Paul Pierce and the No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks.

“I never worried about how many points, how many assists, how many rebounds, it was just about wins and losses and making the fans happy, because without the fans, there wouldn’t be no AC Carter,” said Carter.

Over Carter’s two seasons in Mānoa from 1996–98, the Rainbow Warriors were a combined 42 and 17, including two National Invitational Tournament runs.

Creating opportunities

In 2002, Carter established the A.C. Carter Endowed Scholarship Fund. It was a way for Carter to pave the way for future generations.

“My decision to give back was because I had a second chance,” said Carter. “Somebody paved the way for me, and I just felt like it was my duty to be able to get somebody else into school and put them through school.”

Jersey retirement

In February, as Carter became just the second player in program history to have his jersey retired in Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, he reflected on the honor.

• Related UH News story: Basketball legend ‘AC’ Carter honored: UH Mānoa to retire No. 23 jersey, October 28, 2025

“It means everything. This is something that I never expected,” Carter said. “Thank you to everybody over here in the islands. Each and every night that I stepped on that court and just walking around, the love that they showed me, it speaks volumes of the islands and my second home.”

UH basketball retired Carter’s No. 23 in front of a packed Bankoh Arena crowd at halftime of the men’s basketball game against UC Santa Barbara on February 21. Carter’s number now hangs alongside former player and coach Bob Nash’s No. 33. Nash was an assistant coach at UH when Carter played at ����ԴDz�. At the ceremony Nash was among the coaches, teammates, former players and friends to join Carter on the court during the ceremony.

University of �鶹��ý at Hilo men’s basketball player Julio Montes II was named to the All-PacWest Third Team for the second time in his career. The Pacific West Conference honors are voted on by the league’s head coaches.

Montes II was the lone Vulcan selected for all-conference honors. The Vulcans guard was also named PacWest Player of the Week for February 16–22, and has the conference leading free throw percentage.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Hilo men’s basketball player Julio Montes II was named PacWest Player of the Week after putting up the highest single game point total in the conference this season with 35 against Azusa Pacific.

Montes II hit 13 of 23 shots, including 3 of 5 from three-point range, and he nailed all six of his free throw attempts. For the week in three games, Montes II averaged almost 25 points a game with six rebounds, seven assists and six steals. He shot 50% from the field, 50% from behind the arch, and converted 19 of 20 free throws.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa basketball retired the jersey number of the former guard AC Carter in front of a packed Bankoh Arena crowd.

In honor of his exploits that elevated UH’s national profile in a career highlighted by some of the program’s most storied victories, Carter’s No. 23 will hang alongside the No. 33 worn by former UH standout and long-time coach Bob Nash overlooking the court he presided over from 1996 to ’98.

• Related story:

At halftime of their home game against UC Santa Barbara, the ʻBows recognized two-time All-American Carter. Coaches, teammates, former players and friends joined Carter on the court as he became just the second player in program history to be bestowed the honor, joining Nash who was also on hand for the emotional ceremony.

“It definitely was two years of life-changing experience and I wouldn’t change nothing in the world,” said Carter. “If I had to do it all again and experience the same experiences, I’d do it again and I’d come back and go to the University of �鶹��ý again.”

The night ended with a dramatic 78–75 overtime victory. The Rainbow Warriors will now head off for their final Big West regular-season road trip when they take on UC Davis on February 26 and Cal State Fullerton on February 28.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa head coach Laura Beeman was inducted into the Mt. San Antonio College (SAC) Athletics Hall of Fame, returning to the campus where she launched her head coaching career.

Beeman led Mt. SAC for 15 seasons beginning in 1994, guiding the Mounties to four California Community College State Championships and 10 conference titles while compiling a 390–110 record.

After stops with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and USC, she became the eighth head coach in UH Mānoa program history in 2012. Now in her 14th season with the Rainbow Wahine, Beeman has captured three Big West Tournament titles, four regular-season championships and earned four Big West Coach of the Year honors.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa assistant coach Khalilah Mitchell was selected to participate in the 2026 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Next Generation Institute, a leadership development program for experienced assistant coaches aspiring to become collegiate head coaches.

Now in its fourth year, the program focuses on developing the CEO-level skills required to lead a college basketball program, including business operations, communications, marketing and personnel management.

Mitchell, in her seventh season with the Rainbow Wahine, has been part of multiple championship teams, contributing to three Big West regular-season titles, a conference tournament championship and four postseason appearances during her tenure at UH.

Mitchell joined the UH staff in 2018 and her selection reflects both her experience and leadership within the program, as well as UH’s continued presence in national coaching development initiatives.

The institute will take place in April in conjunction with the WBCA Convention in Phoenix.

Read more at .

Approximately 1,200 young haumāna (students) from elementary schools throughout Oʻahu visited the campus on November 21, to learn more about college life and even got to witness front and center a game.

The visit began at 8:30 a.m., at Andrews Amphitheater where the keiki were introduced to campus and split into groups for morning tours. UH Mānoa student guides led groups through classrooms, labs and notable campus spots, introducing the haumāna to academic programs and campus life while mixing in fun facts that kept the tours engaging.

Then at 11 a.m., the keiki headed to Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center to cheer on the Rainbow Wahine in the opening game of the Bank of �鶹��ý Classic against Loyola Marymount. They brought a ton of energy to help propel the Rainbow Wahine to a 55-51 victory.

“Our students, for some of them, this is their first time at the Stan Sheriff or even just kind of touring the campus—just being exposed to what’s across the street from us,” said Preston Pires, Mid-Pacific Institute elementary PE teacher. “A lot of our students, they like following University of �鶹��ý athletics, and they kind of get to see their idols in action.”

Mid-Pacific Institute 5th grade student Nahe Amimoto expressed his excitement for exploring the UH Mānoa campus, from the facilities to the arena.

“I think it’d be a really nice school to go to,” said Amimoto.

“It helps the campus, it helps athletics and it helps women’s basketball,” said UH Mānoa Athletics Director of Marketing and Fan Experience Eric Mathews, also known as “Captain Fun.” “It does so many positive things when you have this age group and kids here seeing campus for the first time, maybe seeing a game for the first time. They’re getting so many cool experiences.”

Prior to the game, all keiki were given swag bags with gifts courtesy of Bank of �鶹��ý, Raising Cane’s, Coke and Sodexo. The haumāna were from Kūhīo, Hōkūlani, Mōkapu, Ala Wai, Lincoln, Hoʻokele, Hahaʻione, Queen Kaʻahumanu, and Lunalilo Elementary Schools, and from neighboring Mid-Pacific Institute.

This opportunity was made possible by a collaboration of multiple units across the UH Mānoa campus, including the athletics department, admissions office, campus operations and facilities, President’s office and more.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Athletics will retire jersey No. 23 for Rainbow Warrior basketball legend Anthony “AC” Carter during a halftime ceremony of the ʻBows game versus UC Santa Barbara on February 21, 2026.

Carter was one of the most electrifying players in program history. He was a two-time honorable mention All-American and all-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) pick who went on to a 13-year NBA career, playing for the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors. He then spent more than a decade coaching in the league, including stints with the Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies.

“AC is one of the most beloved players in the decorated history of UH sports,” said Athletics Director Matt Elliott. “He provided �鶹��ý fans with some of the most unforgettable moments in program history. He was the centerpiece of a team that captivated our fans and rocked the Stan Sheriff Center on a regular-basis. We look forward to welcoming AC and his family back to Mānoa for this well-deserved honor.”

The 1996–97 WAC Pacific Division Player of the Year, Carter was the first UH Mānoa player to win a conference player of the year award and one of just two ʻBows to ever earn the distinction of conference player of the year.

“This is the 106th season of �鶹��ý basketball and we have been blessed to have had many teams, coaches and student-athletes pour their blood, sweat and tears for this program,” Head Coach Eran Ganot said. “AC became one of our most popular players on one of our most popular teams and for all the right reasons. His commitment to success extended beyond the court and into the community as you can still feel his impact many years later. It’s been a joy to follow his journey as a successful and respected player and coach in the NBA following his storied UH career.”

Carter left UH Mānoa as the career-leader in assists average (6.9), while ranking third all-time in assists despite playing just two seasons and still holds the single-season assists record (212, 1997–98). He is one of only four ʻBows to reach 1,000 points in just two seasons.

Carter’s No. 23 will be the second men’s basketball number to hang inside Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, joining Bob Nash’s No. 33, which was retired during the program’s 100th Season celebration in 2020.

Read more at .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa team will enter its final season in the Big West as the favorite in the conference’s preseason poll and with two Rainbow Wahine returnees voted to the preseason all-conference team.

Coming off a second straight Big West regular-season title, the Rainbow Wahine topped the Big West preseason coaches’ poll. UH Mānoa received 91 points in the poll to place one point ahead of UC Irvine, with the ‘Bows and Anteaters both receiving four first-place votes.

Rainbow Wahine forward Imani Perez and center Ritorya Tamilo were voted to the seven-member All-Big West preseason coaches’ team.

Perez earned All-Big West second team and All-Defensive Team honors each of the last two years, and was an All-Freshman team selection in 2023. Tamilo was named the Big West Freshman of the Year last season while also earning a spot on the conference’s All-Freshman Team. She set the UH Mānoa freshman record for blocked shots with 41, breaking the previous mark of 33 that stood since 1984.

The ‘Bows went 22-10 overall and 16-4 in Big West play last season to earn the program’s sixth Big West regular-season title and third in the last four years. Head coach Laura Beeman enters her 14th season with a roster featuring seven returnees and eight newcomers. The 15-player roster also includes 11 international players.

The Rainbow Wahine will play exhibition games against Chaminade on October 21, and �鶹��ý Pacific University on October 28, at Bankoh Arena. They open the regular season on November 4 against Portland State. Season tickets are on sale and at the Bankoh Arena box office.

Read more at .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa team ranked third in the Big West men’s basketball preseason coaches poll. It is the third time in the last four years that the Rainbow Warriors have been picked in the top three.

UH Mānoa earned 76 points to be slotted at the No. 3 spot as the Rainbow Warriors embark on their 14th and final season in the Big West.

‘Bows forward Gytis Nemeikša also garnered a spot on the six-player all-Big West preseason team. The senior was the team’s leading scorer last year. Nemeikša is part of a 13-player roster this year that includes four returnees and nine newcomers.

UH Mānoa hosts the first of two free exhibition games on October 18, versus Pomona-Pitzer at Bankoh Arena. The ‘Bows will take on Chaminade on October 26, before opening the 2025–26 regular season on the road at Oregon on November 4.

Read more at .