Cody Kelley has been appointed assistant coach for the University of Hawai'i men’s basketball team, marking his return to the Rainbow Warriors after a season-long stint in 2023‑24.
During that season the team posted a second consecutive 20‑win campaign, advanced to the Big West semifinals and captured the inaugural Acrisure Invitational in Palm Springs, California.
A Coach With a Global résumé
Kelley’s coaching journey spans continents. After honing his craft as a graduate assistant at Memphis — where he helped the Tigers win the 2021 NIT and reach the 2022 NCAA Tournament — he took his expertise overseas, joining Japan’s B.League.
With the Ibaraki Robots and Chiba Jets he helped set a league record of 53 regular‑season victories and clinched the Emperor’s Cup, showcasing his ability to translate winning mentalities across different basketball cultures.
Head coach Eran Ganot praised Kelley’s basketball mind and work ethic, noting that his international perspective will enrich the program’s development pipeline.
Kelley’s playing days at Wyoming and South Dakota laid a foundation of grit and leadership. He appeared in more than 100 collegiate games, contributed to Wyoming’s 2017 CBI championship and earned Summit League All‑Newcomer Team honors at South Dakota.
Now back on the islands, Kelley is expected to blend his global insights with the local talent pool, reinforcing a culture that has already produced back‑to‑back 20‑win seasons.
The University of Hawai'i, a program steeped in tradition and community engagement, looks to sustain its upward trajectory under the guidance of a coach whose résumé now includes stints in Japan, the United States, and a deep understanding of player development.