Ruffin returns for hoops festivities

Advertiser Staff

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Midnight 'Ohana What: Introduction and opening practice for the 2003-04 University of Hawai'i men's and women's basketball teams Where: Stan Sheriff Center When: Festivities, including live music and carnival games, start tomorrow at 8 p.m. Introduction of players around 11:30. Basketball activities: 3-point shootout between the men's and women's teams; slam-dunk contest for the men's team; intrasquad scrimmage for the men's team Admission: Free general admission; $50 for VIP courtside seating (presale only, call 956-6501 before 4:30 p.m. tomorrow for reservations)

There is enough proof of that in the record books.

"I made 10 of 11 (3-pointers) in one game. Ain't nobody gonna beat that," Ruffin said with a smile shortly after arriving in Honolulu yesterday.

Ruffin, the star guard on head coach Riley Wallace's first NCAA Tournament team in 1994, will be one of the guest coaches for the intrasquad scrimmage at the annual Midnight 'Ohana tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center.

While the Midnight 'Ohana is nothing new to Ruffin — his first one with UH was in Klum Gym — the Sheriff Center is.

"They were just building it when I left," Ruffin said. "Man, I would have loved to play in there."

Ruffin is back in Hawai'i for the first time since 1994, and his presence epitomizes the "Time to Rock" theme of this year's event.

The 2003-'04 'Bows will be introduced to the public for the first time tomorrow, and former players like Ruffin and opposing guest coach Alika Smith have been invited to attend.

"It's been 10 years since I played here, so to even be thought about a little bit means something to me," said Ruffin, 33.

After two seasons in the NBA, Ruffin took his game to Europe. He last played in Israel two years ago, but is now seeking a tryout with another European team.

"I broke my foot, and I've been raising my (2-year-old) daughter, so I've been out of the loop for a while," he said. "But now I've got that itch again, so I want to get back into basketball."

Big choice: Senior center Haim Shimonovich was the No. 1 pick by Ruffin and UH associate coach Jackson Wheeler last night in the selection of teams for the intrasquad scrimmage.

Smith and UH assistant coach Bob Burke took senior forward Phil Martin with the second pick.

White Team: Haim Shimonovich, Julian Sensley, Logan Lee, Bobby Nash, Vaidotas Peciukas, Jake Sottos.

Green Team: Phil Martin, Michael Kuebler, Jason Carter, Milos Zivanovic, Jeff Blackett, Paul Jesinskis.

Make way for the women: Rainbow Wahine basketball players will be dressed as "rock stars from the past" and will emerge from an imaginary "time machine" for introductions, according to Monica Bridle of UH's sports marketing department.

UH assistant coach Da Houl said the three Rainbow Wahine assistants were planning on wearing costumes patterned after the movie Grease. She also said one Wahine player was planning to be dressed as Cher.

Seven players return from last year's team that finished 16-14, including starters April Atuaia and Jade Abele. Seven players will be introduced as Rainbow Wahine for the first time, including McKinley grad Amber Lee and Kaimuki grad Dalia Solia.

A 3-point contest will pit one Rainbow Wahine shooter against a UH men's player. Hawai'i coach Vince Goo has asked the identity of the Rainbow Wahine shooter be kept secret.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.