HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The highly anticipated Iolani Classic boys basketball tournament is now off and running.

One of the storylines is the homecoming of NBA prospect and former Iolani star JJ Mandaquit, a return he considers a full-circle moment.

“Just to step foot in the gym and it’s the first time I’ve really gotten up shots here since my freshman year,” Mandaquit said. “To start my high school career playing in this tournament and to end my high school career playing in this tournament, it’s a dream.”

As Mandaquit reflects on his time with the Raiders, it’s hard to believe it’s already been three years since the then-Iolani freshman went toe-to-toe with Bronny James and nationally ranked Sierra Canyon.

“Going into my first year of high school, that was probably the biggest game of my career up to that point,” Mandaquit said. “For me to be able to hang with them and really compete, it showed me I have a chance to do something really special.”

Since then, the 6-foot-1 guard and Washington commit has become one of the top young stars in the country at Utah Prep Academy and wants others to share in his success.

He’s part of the Jr. NBA Court of Leaders program and through his partnership with the league and Nike, he’s helping provide custom made jerseys this year to every team participating in the tournament.

“Anything that I’m passionate about and really care about, they wanted to help me make an impact in my community and where I’m from, so it’s special for us and all the teams in this classic to be presented a jersey with a deeper meaning behind it,” Mandaquit said.

The design is a tribute to Iolani School and Hawaii’s royal history, created by Kihei Nahale-a and Kuhao Zane, close friends of Mandaquit’s father, Jason Mandaquit.

“It’s just something that has always been around us, and now with the platform that basketball has given JJ and our family, to find ways to share our culture, that’s always been something super important to us,” Jason Mandaquit said.

Mandaquit’s first game is Wednesday night against Kahuku.

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