It was probably fitting that the star player for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team was picked first for an event called "Night of the Stars."

Senior Julian Sensley was the No. 1 selection yesterday in a draft for Friday's intrasquad scrimmage.

NCAA basketball teams can officially begin fall practice at 7 p.m. on Friday, and the Hawai'i men's and women's teams will be unveiled at Twilight 'Ohana at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"It's a fun thing to draw attention to the fans," men's head coach Riley Wallace said. "And having the earlier start is a good thing. It should bring in more families."

In past years, UH celebrated the opening of practice with Midnight 'Ohana because that was the earliest time NCAA teams could practice. The time was moved five hours earlier by the NCAA this year.

Friday's event will be capped by an intrasquad scrimmage.

Sensley, a 6-foot-9 forward, was selected first for the second consecutive year. He averaged 12.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season, and several preseason publications are picking him as a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection.

Newcomer Ahmet Gueye, a 6-8 forward, was the second selection.

The assistant coaches from the men's and women's teams will swap roles for the scrimmages.

Men's assistants Bob Nash and Jackson Wheeler will serve as opposing coaches for the women's scrimmage; women's assistants Pat Charity and Lacole Brooks will be the opposing coaches for the men's scrimmage.

Junior center Alofa Toiaivao was the first overall pick for the women's scrimmage. Amy Sanders, the leading scorer last season, went second.

In keeping with the theme of the night, the players and coaches will dress like celebrities when they are introduced to the crowd.

"Every team in the country does something like this. Nobody does it like us," women's head coach Jim Bolla said. "This is something that's so unique to us, we actually use it when we recruit."

The food booths and carnival games will open at 5 p.m. on Friday on the Sheriff Center concourse. The basketball festivities — including a 3-point shootout and slam-dunk contest — will begin around 9.

Admission is free.

MEN'S INTRASQUAD ROSTERS

Green: Julian Sensley, Stephen Verwers, Matt Lojeski, Matt Gipson, Dominic Waters, Deonte Tatum, Milos Zivanovic, Tremaine Ellison.

White: Ahmet Gueye, Matt Gibson, Chris Botez, John Wilder, Bobby Nash, Hiram Thompson, Jack Miller.

WOMEN'S INTRASQUAD ROSTERS

Green: Amy Sanders, Dalia Solia, Cassidy Chretien, Pam Tambini, Emily Helmly, Tanya Smith, Amy Kotani, Callie Spooner.

White: Alofa Toiaivao, Janevia Taylor, Saundra Cariaga, Brittany Grice, Amber Lee, Brittney Aiwohi, Shannon Nishi.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.