Chaminade, who is 2-1 so far, enters the tournament with momentum after a strong start that includes a win in Alaska and a 107-98 home victory over Western Washington. The Silverswords, being a pressing team that likes full-court pressure, fast pace, and aggressive drives, have produced early signs of the identity they want to bring into the three-day challenge ahead. Chaminade plays Washington State on Monday at 4 p.m. at Lahaina Civic Center, and the game will be televised on ESPNU.
[Editor’s note: This story was originally published with two errors. The story said the Chaminade team was guaranteed just two games. The Maui Invitational guarantees three games for all teams. The story said the Chaminade game would be televised on ESPN, ESPNU and ESPN2. The Chaminade matchup against Washington State will be aired on ESPNU. The story has been corrected. We apologize for the errors.]
Chaminade University’s men’s basketball team will take the floor Monday for its long-awaited return to the Maui Invitational in Lahaina, marking the program’s first appearance on the island since 2019. After five years of the tournament being relocated because of the COVID-19 pandemic and then the Lahaina wildfire recovery, the Silverswords are preparing to compete once again in one of college basketball’s most iconic settings.
The return carries meaning for a roster made up entirely of players who will be experiencing the event for the first time. The team’s excitement has been building throughout its early-season schedule.
“Playing in the Maui Invitational is really exciting,” Chaminade head coach Eric Bovaird said. “None of our current players have ever played in Maui, so we can feel the excitement for sure.”
The roster features several veteran players who arrived through multiple pathways, contributing to what Bovaird sees as one of the team’s biggest strengths: the team being mostly veterans. Senior guard Nathan Medina, a transfer from Biola University, has quickly noticed the value of that collective experience.
“I think this group is special because we have so much experience,” Medina said. “The mix of our experience, grit, and basketball IQ will take us far.”
Medina said the team’s chemistry has continued to grow as players adapt to Chaminade’s full-court pressing system. Early practices and scrimmages showed that ball movement, decision-making, and unselfish play would play central roles in the Silverswords’ approach. Medina said those moments — when the team shares the ball, speeds up opponents, and thrives in transition — are when the group is at its best.
The coaching staff has emphasized defense as the priority heading into the Maui Invitational. The tournament field traditionally features high-major programs with size advantages at nearly every position. That challenge is not lost on the Silverswords, particularly in the paint.
“I think the key to our success this season will be our defense and rebounding,” Kent King said, a senior forward who previously played at Fork Union Military Academy and Vincennes University. “We’re not the biggest team, so we have to be gritty and really control the boards.”
King’s emphasis reflects a major point of focus throughout preseason practices. Chaminade has devoted extended time to rebounding drills, half-court defensive execution, and pressure-heavy rotations designed to disrupt taller, stronger opponents.
As the tournament approaches, the Silverswords have also worked to refine their pace, an important part of Bovaird’s system that aims to make opponents uncomfortable. With a deep lineup and conditioning that has been tested early, Chaminade seeks to push the tempo, press off both makes and misses, and create scoring chances before defenses can set.
That approach was on full display in the game against Western Washington. The Silverswords scored 34 fast-break points and added 23 points off turnovers, using their pressure and speed to turn defensive stops into quick baskets. The team hopes that same uptempo identity will carry into the Maui Invitational.
The return to Maui brings opportunity, challenge, and a national spotlight. The stage is one they have been eager to step onto.
“Our guys are excited, and we’re playing good basketball,” Bovaird said. “If we keep improving, I feel confident we can make some noise over there.”