​After two years coaching in Japan, Cody Kelley is returning to the University of Hawaii men’s basketball program as an assistant coach. At 30 years old, Kelley steps into the role previously held by Clay Wilson, who moved on to an associate coaching position at Cornell. In announcing the move, UH head coach Eran Ganot praised Kelley, calling him a rising star with a sharp basketball mind who accomplished a great deal during his first stint with the program. Ganot noted that Kelley’s strong work ethic translates directly into his coaching approach.
Kelley spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Ibaraki Robots in Japan’s B League. He explained that the team had been performing well and gaining recognition in Japan when Ganot reached out with an opportunity that was too compelling to pass up. “We’ve been doing really well in Japan and making a name for ourselves, and then Eran called,” Kelley said. “We enjoyed our time in Hawaii. (The UH job) was very intriguing to me. Hawaii’s been doing great and I love working with that staff, as well as being around the people of Hawaii. I was like, ‘Why not?’”
Kelley and his wife, Dani, are set to relocate to Hawaii this weekend. He said he plans to hit the ground running and be ready for upcoming official practices. The team will enter a new phase of the NCAA offseason schedule on July 20, providing coaches with increased basketball-related access to players.
As a former standout point guard at Wyoming and later at South Dakota, Kelley will contribute to the UH offense, with a focus on developing the guards. He emphasized that a significant portion of his role will involve player development on both the offseason and in-season fronts. “I’m young and on the floor. Being able to develop these guys in the offseason and in season is going to be an important part of what I’m there for,” he said.
Kelley also expressed optimism that his experience coaching professional players in Japan could translate into benefits for Hawaii’s roster, including those with name, image, and likeness deals. “You’re figuring out how to put pieces together with really valuable players,” he stated. “You have to come in and don’t treat that lightly.” He highlighted the importance of integrating top talent effectively and thoughtfully to maximize on-court performance and long-term development.
In reflecting on his return to Hawaii, Kelley underscored his enthusiasm for contributing to a program that has already achieved strong results. He aims to leverage his background in guard play and guard-specific development to bolster UH’s offensive schemes while continuing to emphasize disciplined, intelligent defense. His goal is to help Hawaii build greater cohesion on the court, optimize ball movement, and accelerate the growth of players who will drive the team’s success in the NCAA landscape.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, Kelley’s rejoining of the UH coaching staff signals a renewed commitment to building a dynamic, player-focused program under Ganot. The veteran coach’s assessment of Kelley as a rising basketball mind colors the expectations for the season ahead, with a focus on translating international coaching experience into tangible improvements for the Rainbow Warriors’ offense, defense, and overall development pipeline.