Former Vulcan\u00a0Anthony Haskett\u00a0returns to the Big Island to join the Hawai\u2019i Hilo Men\u2019s Basketball coaching staff, as announced by sixth-year head man\u00a0Kaniela Aiona.<\/p>\n
Haskett spent three seasons with the Vulcans from 2019-2022, earning bachelor\u2019s degrees in Communication and Kinesiology & Exercise Sciences. For the 2021-22 academic year, he was honored as Hawai\u2019i Hilo Men\u2019s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year for attaining the highest GPA on the team.<\/p>\n
The Walnut Creek, California native and Las Lomas High School class of 2017 graduate returns to Hilo after spending the last three seasons coaching at Las Positas College (California). He began as lead assistant and was elevated to associate head coach for 2024-25.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to be back in Hilo as a Vulcan again. I\u2019m a proud Hawai\u2019i\u202fHilo alumnus and have a lot of love for this island and its community \u2014 it was a second home for me,\u201d Haskett said. \u201cFrom playing on coach Aiona\u2019s first teams to now coaching alongside him, this is a full\u2011circle moment. I am ready to share my experience and knowledge with our student\u2011athletes and contribute to the continued success of this program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Additionally, Haskett coaches with the Oakland Soldiers AAU program \u2014 competing in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League \u2014 and was selected as one of 30 coaches to lead at the prestigious Nike Elite 100 Camp. He also previously led player-development training throughout the Bay Area.<\/p>\n
Haskett started his collegiate journey with two seasons at Diablo Valley College (California), playing under former Vulcan Steve Coccimiglio. He transferred to Hawai\u2019i Hilo in fall 2019, joining then-head coach GE Coleman. After Aiona\u2019s hiring in summer 2020, Haskett finished out his playing career over the next two seasons through the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so excited to welcome Anthony back to Hilo,\u201d Aiona said. \u201cHe is an up-and-coming coach with an excellent reputation. I\u2019ve really enjoyed following his coaching career and successes with Las Positas, AAU basketball and as a skilled player-development coach. Most importantly, Anthony is a great person and a tremendous representative of Hawai\u2019i Hilo, both on the court and in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haskett also earned a Master of Science in Exercise Science & Health Promotion from Pennsylvania Western University in 2023, concentrating in performance enhancement and injury prevention.<\/p>\n
He joins veteran coach\u00a0Steve Kinder\u00a0to round out the Hawai\u2019i Hilo Men\u2019s Basketball coaching staff as the Vulcans aim to continue climbing in 2025-26 after earning four consecutive berths in the Pacific West Conference Championships postseason tournament.<\/p>\n