PHIL Handy's still got game. And a place to play it. Ex-UH player’s
experiences to
come in HandyThe former small forward for the University of Hawaii basketball team (1993-95) had been playing professionally in France until an injury curtailed his season. Now back home in Hayward, Calif., Handy is hoping to bring his love of the game back to Hawaii this summer.
Handy will be part of the Helping Our Dreams Come True camp for youngsters, ages 6 through incoming high school seniors, in late July. No sites have been finalized, but organizers are looking at a Honolulu gym for July 20-24 and a Windward location for July 27-31.
Count on the gregarious Handy having plenty of stories to tell the campers of his post-UH odyssey. Roundball has taken him around the world, from a tryout with the Golden State Warriors, to making the Harlem Globetrotters' international team to Europe.
"I'm still playing and loving the game," Handy said in a telephone interview from California. "I'm trying to make it professionally. France was a good experience and I've got some offers. I could be in Italy or Japan by August."
Count on him keeping busy, wherever he lands. Recently married, Handy still has an interest in developing video games. Before arriving at UH, he helped design the program for Sonic The Hedgehog and did some caption shots for an NBA video game.
But for Handy, there's nothing more exciting than the real thing. Yesterday's Bulls-Pacers game was as good as it gets.
"It was an excellent game, an excellent series," said Handy, one of four Rainbows to have played in Blaisdell Arena and Special Events Arena. "I couldn't believe Indiana took Chicago that far.
"I'm pulling for the Bulls, not because I'm a Chicago fan. I'm just not ready for Utah to win it."
His preferences have nothing to do with his memories of Utah, the state. In Handy's junior season, the Rainbows won the Western Athletic Conference tournament in Salt Lake City. But Hawaii's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 22 years ended in the Beehive State, with UH losing to Syracuse in the first round at Weber State in Ogden, Utah.
Handy was in Europe for most of the Rainbows' past season, but said he managed to watch a few games on television. He saw Hawaii's upset win over Kansas in the Rainbow Classic final.
"I hoped they could keep it going in the WAC," he said. "They played so well together. I thought for sure they were going to make the NCAA Tournament."
Handy recently caught up with former teammate Alika Smith in the Bay Area. Smith was a freshman when Handy was a senior.
"Alika was playing in the Nike tournament up here, but I didn't know he was even going to be here," Handy said. "Next thing I knew, he was screaming my name. Sounded just like Coach (Riley) Wallace.
"I think Alika's got a real promising career somewhere professionally. I'm happy for him."
Depending on his schedule -- and pro offers -- Smith might be involved with Handy's camp. Arthur Agee from the film "Hoop Dreams" will be here, as will the Golden State Warriors' mascot, Thunder.
Handy will be in Honolulu later this month to finalize camp details. Until then, those interested can contact Reggie Green at 510-534-8800 for information .
There doesn't seem to be an off-season for Hawaii's young athletes. When they aren't practicing or playing, they're out fund-raising.
As the UH teams know only too well, living in paradise means paying to play elsewhere when it counts at the national level.
Hawaii's young athletes more than hold their own in mainland competition. The problem is getting them there.
Consider opening your wallet the next time the doorbell rings. You've just opened the door to someone's dreams.
Cindy Luis is a Star-Bulletin sportswriter.
Her column appears weekly.
