Former Bows give ABA a shot

A group of former University of Hawaii basketball players, plus some other local talent, is giving the modern-day American Basketball Association a shot.

The “Hawaii Swish” were created by ex-UH guard Geremy Robinson, whom you might know from his exploits in the Manoa College Summer League or in local youth camps.

They hope to play a six-game home schedule starting Feb. 10 at the Blaisdell Arena. The ABA did an announcement on their website here. The team’s Facebook page is here.

The ABA season is well underway but the Swish hope to use the remainder of this season as a trial run before a full go in 2018. They’ve held a handful of practices to this point.

If you want to hear more from the owner/player Robinson, he’ll be on 1420-AM with the Sports Animals at 4:45 p.m. today.

Former Rainbow Warriors guards and current OC Sports analysts Johnny White and Artie Wilson are the co-coaches. Here’s the most recent roster I’ve seen:

Geremy Robinson
Jason Carter
Miah Ostrowski
Derrick Braziel
Mark Veazey
Leon Ballard
Johnny Avila
Pii Minns
Josh Payne
Oscar Pedroso

Here are the home dates right now:
Feb. 10 — Yuba City
Feb. 28 — Tuscon
March 6 — Orange County
March 7 — Orange County
March 11 — Arizona
March 22 — Las Vegas

It’s worth noting the most recent team to attempt ABA membership here, the Hawaii Hammerheads, are no longer in that league after a halfhearted attempt to move the team to Hilo. (Last I heard they were attempting to join another semi-pro league).

History hasn’t been kind to local ABA startups, mostly because of difficulties arranging for teams to travel out here. There have been several attempts in the last dozen years, with no team playing more than two games before folding.