NBA Talent And Local Celebrities Play Ball For Maui Youth

By Kristin Hashimoto

Basketball Maui Youth, image courtesy of Basketball Maui

These guys have major ball skills. NBA talent, college BBallers, and local celebrities will hoop it up for the non-profit organization Basketball Maui, on Saturday June 4, at the War Memorial Gymnasium. The games begin at 6:00 p.m. with a novelty warm-up contest.

The good-natured amateur local celebrities will face off with Basketball Maui’s Summer Jam Camp all-stars. After their game ends, the pro-ballers will burn up the court at 8:00 p.m. The pro-player roster keeps growing. Lists will be updated, as game day gets nearer.

To date, these players have committed to playing that night: Jon Brockman, John Salmons and Corey Maggette of the Milwaukee Bucks, Grivis Vasquez of the Memphis Grizzlies (subject to change depending on NBA playoffs), Jeremy Lin of the Golden State Warriors, and Tyler Fidler of the University of Calgary Dinos.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Corey Maggette, image courtesy of Basketball Maui

The list of local celebrities participating in this event also continues to grow. Currently, these fun folks have decided to publicly throw a few bricks, make a few “swooshing” sounds, and basically have a good time for a great local non-profit. Local Celebrities include: Former Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, Duke Aiona, Mayor Alan Arakawa, Musician Eric Gilliom, Hope Chapel Pastor Craig Englert, Musician Derick Sebastian, Ritz Carlton, Kapalua VP and GM, Tom Donovan, Writer/Director Brian Kohne, Footbal star Vaka Manupuna, and Gib Hinz, championship high school coach and 10 year pro. Television personality Tiny Tadani will be the Master of Ceremonies.

Basketball Maui utilizes basketball to instill fundamental character building lessons to Maui youth. This shootout will benefit the organization’s youth summer camp program. Portions of the proceeds from this evening will also be donated to the Maui Food Bank.

Advance tickets are on sale now for a bargain price of $6.00. Tickets will be $10.00 at the gate. Children aged 7 and younger are free. Tickets are available at: Maui Clothing Company, Pukalani Superette, HI Tech Surf Sports, and Hasegawa General Store in Hana.

For more information and updates on the all-star list, visit www.basketballmaui.com, or call 808-269-1082.