JJ Mandaquit, Utah Prep Academy overwhelm Kahuku in Iolani Prep Classic

HONOLULU — One of JJ Mandaquit’s favorite basketball memories took place in the 2021 Iolani Prep Classic, when a huge performance by the then-Raiders guard against top-ranked Sierra Canyon helped propel him onto the national stage.

Three years later, Mandaquit is back and eager to show his progress.

The Utah Prep Academy floor general was in total command as he showed off a little of everything — 3-pointers, assists, a tomahawk dunk and a two-handed alley-oop flush — in the Hurricane, Utah, powerhouse’s 107-50 rout of Kahuku on its opening game of the prestigious tournament in Iolani’s gym on Wednesday.

[Note: See below for more photos of Utah Prep-Kahuku basketball.]

“It means everything,” Mandaquit said about being back and playing in an event that he considers a showcase opportunity for local players. “Just to see the level of support, it was really cool. You know, it made me want to play harder.”

AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 player on the ESPN 100 for the class of 2025, put in a game-high 21 points. The BYU-committed forward had a breakaway between-the-legs slam in the second half.

Mandaquit put in 20 points and looked every bit the part of a player often described as the best to come out of Hawaii in many years. He recently signed to play at the University of Washington next season.

Mandaquit had 18 points for Iolani against Sierra Canyon three years ago as the Raiders threatened an upset. Now he will face his former program on its home floor in an Iolani Classic quarterfinal at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Iolani beat Kalani 61-36 on the first day of the tournament Tuesday.

“It’ll be fun. That’s my old coach,” he said of Ryan Hirata. “It’s still family. I still try to represent Iolani the best I can. We’re just going to go out there and play hard. Have a good game. It’s going to be all respect and just try to have fun and put a show on for the crowd.”

He is one of a few Hawaii-born players on the Utah Prep roster as Layden Kauka, a former Kohala High star from Hawaii Island, and Laie native Anthony Felesi also saw action. Felesi had a large contingent in the stands. The 6-foot-6 wing Felesi scored 11 points and Kauka had a basket.

Wednesday was a big moment for Kauka, who helped the Kohala Cowboys to the Division II state championship the last two years. He said it was his dream to play in the Iolani Classic.

“It’s something I will never take for granted,” Kauka said of his role with Utah Prep, which is coached by Justin Yamzon, a former BYU-Hawaii guard. “I go against these guys every day in practice, and they’re projected NBA prospects, so it’s an opportunity that most Hawaii kids don’t get.”

The other quarterfinals are between elite national programs: Wheeler (Ga.) versus Brewster Academy (N.H.) at 3:30 p.m.; St. Paul VI Catholic (Va.) versus Veritas Academy (Calif.) at 5 p.m.; and Imhotep Institute (Pa.) versus Oak Hill (Va.) at 8 p.m.

Mandaquit left Iolani after his freshman season for greater exposure and it paid off with participation with Team USA in international competition over the last two summers. His father, Jason, a former state player of the year and state champion at Hilo High, is a Utah Prep assistant.

An Iolani Classic tournament title would mean something for Mandaquit and Utah Prep, which lost a recent battle with Prolific Prep, Dybantsa’s former team, in the Grind Session, a national league of powerhouse programs. Prior to that, Utah Prep was ranked in the MaxPreps National Top 10.

“Just that we can win,” Dybantsa said of what he wants to show in Hawaii this week. “Everybody knows what we can do individually. Just show that we can win as a team.”

Kahuku fell behind 50-17 at the half but would not fold. It went bucket for bucket with Utah Prep in the fourth quarter.

Forward Ronin Naihe led the Red Raiders with 20 points while Kashus Daley added 12. Guard Mystique Akina-Watson, at all of 5 feet 10, got an improbable fadeaway baseline shot over Dybantsa to drop in the second half.

“I think it was fun, right? That’s why you play the game of basketball, to play the best players in the country,” Kahuku coach Brandyn Akana said. “I think it was a great experience.”

Akana directed his team to pack it in to prevent drives and force Utah Prep to beat it from outside. The prep powerhouse obliged with 14 3-pointers made.

Afterward, young players pressed together outside the Utah Prep postgame cooldown room to try to position themselves for an autograph, or even a look.

“Hawaii people don’t get to see this level of skill and players like this,” Mandaquit said. “It’s just a good experience for the kids. I don’t think it’s a bad thing they’re excited, it’s cool they get to see this stuff. Hopefully it inspires them to work hard and work on their craft.”

Utah Prep’s JJ Mandaquit, middle right, and AJ Dybantsa slapped hands after Mandaquit’s alley-oop dunk against Kahuku. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Kahuku’s Mystique Akina-Watson looked for an opening against Utah Prep’s AJ Dybantsa. Akina-Watson then lofted a fadeaway over Dybantsa, the No. 1 prospect on the ESPN 100 for the class of 2025. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Hawaii basketball coach Eran Ganot, middle, and assistant coach Gibson Johnson watched the action. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

JJ Mandaquit checked out and slapped hands with his father, Utah Prep assistant coach Jason Mandaquit. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

JJ Mandaquit ran downcourt in front of a packed house in Iolani’s gym. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

JJ Mandaquit got up on a breakaway for a tomahawk dunk in the second half against Kahuku. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

JJ Mandaquit’s dunk, part II. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

JJ Mandaquit’s dunk, part III. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Utah Prep coach Justin Yamzon spoke to Layden Kauka as he prepared to check in. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Kahuku forward Ronin Naihe attempted to drive along the baseline against Utah Prep’s JJ Mandaquit. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Kahuku coach Brandyn Akana reacted to a call. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.