Patty Mills Named University of Hawai’i Men’s Basketball General Manager

Patty Mills, a current NBA player for the LA Clippers and longtime resident of Hawai'i, has been named the general manager of the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program, a newly created role focused on student-athlete mentorship, recruiting, fundraising, and community engagement. Mills, an NBA champion and advocate for Indigenous communities, has deep ties to Hawai'i, having lived on O'ahu's North Shore for the past decade and sponsoring local basketball events like the 2022 North Shore Classic. University officials praised Mills for his professional success and cultural connection to Hawai'i, emphasizing his ability to lead the program through evolving college athletics landscapes. Although Mills' on-court NBA role has diminished recently, he has not announced retirement, and there is speculation of interest from other teams. His appointment reflects a growing trend of active NBA players taking on college basketball roles. Mills expressed honor in joining the program, highlighting shared values and cultural respect between his Torres Strait Island heritage and Hawai'i.