Hawai‘i Men’s Basketball: Gytis, Ganot, and Getting Started

Eran Ganot’s ten-year tenure comes at a potential crossroads in 2025-26

Julia McFarland, Sports Writer Nicole Lawler, Sports Editor Nov 3 2025 Updated Nov 3, 2025

No. 5, Senior Forward Gytis Nemisksa, driving through Chaminadeʻs two-man trap defense.

Nicole Lawler / Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi

The University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors basketball team is stepping into the 2025-26 season with a new identity, one defined by change, resilience, and the promise of a fresh start. With nine new faces fresh to the roster, four returning powerhouse players, and what could be head coach Eran Ganots final year in his position, Hawai‘i finds itself itching to rebuild as they leave the pain of the 2024-25 season in the rear view.

Last season, the Rainbow Warriors suffered a destructive 15-16 record, going 7-13 in conference. As a result they were unable to qualify for the Big West Conference tournament for the first time in head coach Eran Ganot’s ten-year tenure. It was also the team's first time missing the tournament since joining the conference in 2012.

Returning Players:

As the season came to a close, Hawai‘i saw 11 total departures through graduation and the transfer portal, forcing an intense roster rebuild in the offseason. This leaves only four Rainbow Warriors to return to this year's team; guards Aaron Hunkin-Claytor and AJ Economou, forward Gytis Nemeikša, and newly named captain forward Harry Rouhiladeff.

Forwards

Although the returning roster is limited to four players, the ‘Bows managed to keep two of their veterans, and are looking to stay strong in the paint. Both standing over 6 feet 8 inches, the international duo has accounted for a force to be reckoned with in the Big West. Between the combo, they started all 31 contests, and averaged 18.8 points per game.

Nemeikša, or “Nemo” The 6’8” Lithuanian sporting number five, and goes into this season standing out as the team's leading returning player and top scorer. Prior to arrival, Nemeiksa put up 10 points against the UConn’s two-time national champion roster. After transferring from Xavier in Cincinnati, Ohio in the 2024-25 season, he quickly became one of the lead guys for Hawai‘i.

Last season, he played in all 31 games for the Rainbow Warriors, starting 14 of them. He averaged a team best of 12.3 points per game, complimented by 5.6 rebounds and 1 assist per game. Nemeikša proved to have an efficient shot, with a 61.3 shooting percentage from the paint, alongside a 32.1 shooting percentage from beyond the arc.

Harry Rouhliadeff, a newly named captain, averaged 6.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, he was a force to be reckoned with in Australia before his transition to the United States. In his two seasons at Villanova College in Brisbane, Australia, he averaged 30 points and 13 rebounds. Later, he trained with the Brisbane Bullets in their National Basketball League (NBL).

His career with the ‘Bows has proven his work ethic, as he worked his way up from a bench player his freshman year, to playing every game last season, starting 17 of those matches. Shooting 46% from the field, 34% from three point land, and 75 from the charity stripe, Rhouliadeff is looking promising for his senior year at UH.

No. 14 Harry Rhouliadeff sets the tone with an early dunk, boosting team morale in the first half.

Nicole Lawler / Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi

Guards

The Rainbow Warriors returning guards have proved to pack a punch as well, with sophomores Aaron Hunkin-Claytor and AJ Economou. Although the two didn’t see as much playing time as the two veteran players, they are expected to fill bigger shoes this season.

Aaron Hunkin-Claytor grew up in Wahiawa, attending ‘Iolani High for two years before moving to California, where he graduated from Salesian College Prep in 2024. He earned first-team all-state his senior year, and was named West Coast Prep Bay Area Player of the Year and Cal-Hi Sports Player of the Year in 2024.

After returning to O’ahu, his freshman year wasn’t as grand in performance, averaging 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds. Although, a rough start in basketball runs in his blood, as his father Mario Claytor played for UH Hilo, where he is considered an honorable mention for all-time Vulcans basketball athletes.

Coming from an impressive athletic family, AJ Economou is looking to protect his ancestral legacy with UHM. His father played for UConn basketball, and went on to play for Greece Olympiacos in the Euroleague. Complimenting that, his mother played lacrosse, soccer, and basketball for Loyola University Maryland. In spite of his genetics, Economou appeared briefly in 11 games for the Rainbow Warriors, but he is expected to play a larger role this season as a veteran.

Hunter Erickson (0) goes up for the layup with contact from the Pomona Pitzer defender. Erickson is one of many new additions to the basketball team, transerring from the University of Utah.

Tanner Haworth / Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi

Transfers

With few returning athletes, it's evident that the immense infusion of new talent will shape much of Hawai‘i's upcoming rotation. Perhaps the most notable new addition to the Rainbow Warriors is 6 foot 10 forward Yacine Toumi. The France native has played in more than 100 career division one games across the last five years, and has put up some impressive stats.

Toumi spent two years as a starter at Evansville, where he averaged 10.6 points per game, along with 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. During his 2023-2024 season in Indiana, he finished second on the team in scoring, shooting 54% from the floor. Toumi then transferred to Seton Hall where he averaged 3.9 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists, with a field goal percentage of 38%.

In the backcourt, Hawai‘i secured Tanner Cuff, a 6 foot 7 guard also out of Evansville, who averaged 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and started every match in the 2023-24 season. Another stirring addition for the ‘Bows is 6 foot 6 guard Dre Bullock, who spent the last three seasons playing in South Dakota. Bullock put up an average of 12.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game last season for the Coyotes.

Hawai‘i also tapped into the junior college circuit, landing Isaac Finlinson, the 6 foot 8 forward who earned the 2024-25 NJCAA Division 1 player of the year from Snow College. Finlinson stunned offensively, averaging 18.7 points per game leading his team to an impressive 32-2 record last season.

Rounding out power in the backcourt is Isaiah Kerr, a 6 foot 3 guard from Chico State. There, Kerr earned first-team all conference honors while propelling the Wildcats to a division two NCAA tournament.

Eran Ganot (left) talks with his team during an exhibition game against Pomona-Pitzer. T

Tanner Haworth / Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi

Management

Head Coach: Eran Ganot

The Bows upcoming season entails a refreshing roster combining seasoned transferees and experienced veterans, leaving much of the team's direction upon the leadership of head coach Eran Ganot as he steps into his final contract year.

Ganot's decade-long tenure began with a historic success as he led the Rainbow Warriors to a program-record 28 wins, capturing both the Big West Regular season and tournament titles, and securing Hawai‘i’s first NCAA tournament appearance in 14 years.

His debut season remains the high point, highlighted by the program's first NCAA win against California. This success earned him multiple coach of the year honors, as well as national honors as one of the nation's top first year head coaches. Since then, he has maintained the Rainbow Warriors as a competitive force in their conference through ups and downs, including NCAA sanctions, roster turnovers and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite some difficult seasons, Ganot has recorded seven winning seasons out of his nine full campaigns, including a strong 22 win season in 2022-23, which also featured a Diamond Head Classic title. However the program's recent struggles have placed increased pressure on him as he aims to return to peak performance in what may be his final year. His legacy in Hawai‘i will ultimately be defined by whether he can steer the Rainbow Warriors back on track and emulate the success of that first season.

General Manager: Patty Mills

The ‘Bows aren’t just celebrating Ganot’s decade anniversary, but welcoming NBA champion Patty Mills to the general manager position. Currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, Mills provides a modern, and professional energy for the team, especially looking into the future. During NBA off season, Mills spends his time in his home on the north shores of O’ahu, and now helps to manage ‘Bows basketball.

His ties run deep with the program, as a native to the Torres Strait Islands, where he says their cultural values align. Ganot and Mills crossed paths when Ganot coached at Saint Mary’s College and Milles was a standout guard. During that time, Mills made his mark in Hawai‘i, earning Rainbow Classic MVP honors as a college freshman.

This role is new to the program, and Mills is looking forward to supporting student-athletes with mentorship and development. He will also be taking on a significant role in boosting recruiting, fundraising and community engagement.

Following two exhibition games, Hawai‘i will begin true preseason play on Nov. 4 in Eugene, Oregon against the Ducks. To follow, they will also face East Texas A&M at home, before beginning the annual OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic on November 12. Hawai‘i’s past season is in the books, and Ganot’s new talent will be on the hunt to restore Hawai‘i basketball to what it was before – a Big West competitor, hoping to become a team in contention for a championship in 2026.