Men’s Basketball Signs International Guard Jacopo Van der Knaap
The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team has added another international player to its roster with the signing of Jacopo Van der Knaap, a 6-5 guard from Verona, Italy. Van der Knaap, 21, has four years of eligibility with the Rainbow Warriors.
Van der Knaap has played extensively throughout Europe, including in the Netherlands where he has played in a number of leagues and suited up for the Dutch national team.
Van der Knaap’s impressive resume includes playing as an amateur for Tobarra CB in the EBA, a Spanish pro league. In 25 appearances during the 2023-24 season, he averaged 13.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. During one point in the season, he poured in 20 or more points in four straight games.
“Jacopo is a big guard who has a knack for scoring and can play multiple positions on the perimeter,” said Coach Eran Ganot. “He’s been an elite shooter with vast international experience, and we love the poise and maturity he plays with. His development over the years has been impressive, and we look forward to seeing that trend continue here. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Jacopo to the program.”
Van der Knaap is the fourth player overall and second international player to sign with UH this spring, joining forward Gytis Nemeikša, a Xavier transfer who originally hails from Lithuania.
Van der Knaap’s younger brother Timoty, who plays with the Italian national team, recently signed with Bradley. UH has had players from 23 different foreign countries, but none from Italy or the Netherlands.
2024-25 Signees
- Tanner Christensen | 6-10 | 275 | Center | Spokane, Wash.| Utah Tech
- A.J. Economou | 6-5 | 180 | Guard | Santa Moncia, Calif. | Southern California Academy
- Marcus Greene | 6-2 | 190 | Guard | Gilroy, Calif. | Houston Christian
- Aaron Hunkin-Claytor | 6-3 | 175 | Guard | Wahiawa, O’ahu | Salesian Prep
- Gytis Nemeikša | 6-8 | 220 | Forward | Kaunas, Lithuania | Xavier
- Jacopo Van der Knaap | 6-5 | 200 | Guard | Verona, Italy | Orange Lions Academy
