Lanaki Apele counts playing on the Big Island as his best basketball experience, and through a series of breaks his career will continue in front of his hometown again.
The recent Cal Lutheran and 2012 Kamehameha graduate has agreed to sign with the Hawaii Hammerheads, who have switched leagues from the ABA (American Basketball Association) to the ABL (Asean Basketball League).
“We were hoping to play in the ABA this season, but unfortunately we could not come up with a viable transportation agreement with the league that would benefit both parties so we had to resign,” Hammerheads president Kevin Williams said. “We believe that the ABL is a great opportunity to partner up with Asia and its massive global brand. The thought of having professional teams from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Saigon, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand coming to the Big Island to play and also us being able to visit these great places was something I could never imagine as an (ABA) expansion team.
“We believe our fans will be very impressed with the talent level in the ABL. The move to the ABL has been a big hit in Asia as fans are starting to receive word of a Hawaii team joining the league for the 2017-2018 season.”
Williams said the team is required to have eight Hawaii-born players and only two from the mainland. Hammerhead guard Aukai Wong recommended Apele. Hawaii is the first and only U.S. team in the ABL.
“Growing up and playing basketball in Hilo, it’s every Hilo kid’s dream to play in the NBA or overseas,” Apele said. “But to play at the pro level, especially if the team is in Hilo you’ve got to be super excited. There’s no better place I’ve played than on the Big Island.”
The Hammerheads will open their preseason against Japan’s Shizuoka Gymrats on March 3 at home. Tickets will be $5 for adults and free for students. Dates and locations are to be determined for games in March and April.