Hawaii Pacific University Men's Basketball

Nakanishi was recently promoted to Associate Head Coach as he heads into his fifth year at HPU under Coach Vorderbruegge.  Nakanishi has been an integral part of the programs recent success, guiding the Sharks to the PacWest Conference Tournament the last three years. Coach Nak has his fingerprints all over the program, he oversees recruiting, scheduling, scouting, and player development.   Before joining HPU on the sidelines, Nakanishi built a high school juggernaut at his alma mater, Kamehameha-Kapalama. In eight seasons at the helm (1999-2011), his teams finished with an overall record of 174-65, participated in prestigious tournaments around the nation, and qualified for seven state tournaments.   After a 17-year drought for Kamehameha, his team won the State Championship in 2009 and 2011 with a runner-up finish in between those years in 2010. Born and raised here in Hawai'i, Jesse graduated from and competed for Kamehameha Secondary School. He moved on to Division III Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon to earn his BA in Sociology/Anthropology with a Minor in East Asian Studies while competing on the Lewis & Clark basketball squad for four years.  Nakanishi then came home to earn his Masters Degree in Counseling & Guidance at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa while starting in on his coaching passion.  

Jesse Nakanishi enters his third season as head coach of the Hawai‘i Pacific University men’s basketball program, continuing to elevate the Sharks through a culture built on toughness, defense, and community. In 2023-24, his first year at the helm, Nakanishi led HPU to an 18-11 overall record and a 13-7 mark in PacWest play — the program’s first conference tournament appearance in seven years. The Sharks established themselves as one of the league’s elite defensive teams, ranking first in multiple defensive categories. The following year, HPU once again finished among the PacWest’s most competitive teams, going 15-14 overall and 10-10 in league play while leading the conference in rebounding. Off the court, Nakanishi has championed the Sharks’ community engagement through the Shark Bite Mentorship Program, where players visit Noelani and Manoa Elementary Schools monthly to read, play, and mentor students. His leadership helped HPU earn the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence Runner-Up in 2023-24 for its impact in the community. Before returning to HPU as head coach, Nakanishi served as the Sharks’ Associate Head Coach from 2011–17, helping guide the program to a historic 29-3 record, PacWest title, and No. 2 NCAA West Regional seed in 2016-17. His collegiate experience also includes stints at Seattle University and the University of Hawai‘i. A proven winner at every level, Nakanishi first made his mark at Kamehameha-Kapalama, his alma mater, where he built a prep powerhouse with a 174-65 record, seven state tournament appearances, and state championships in 2009 and 2011. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology from Lewis & Clark College, where he played collegiate basketball, and a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Hawai‘i–Manoa. Head Coaching Record at HPU Season Overall PacWest Finish 2023-24 18–11 13–7 3rd 2024-25 15–14 10–10 7th

Cam Flabel enters his fifth season with the Hawai‘i Pacific University men’s basketball program and his second as Associate Head Coach. After joining the Sharks in 2021 as a graduate assistant, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest coach at the NCAA Division I or II level to hold the Associate Head Coach title when promoted in 2024. A defensive strategist and recruiting leader, Flabel has helped transform the Sharks into one of the PacWest’s toughest defensive teams. During the 2024–25 season, HPU ranked #1 in Defensive Rebounding and produced several standout performances — including a 46-point defensive showing vs. Fresno Pacific (Feb. 8, 2025), the fewest allowed in PacWest play in over three years. Two days later, the Sharks were named PacWest Defender of the Week as a team for their dominant stretch. Under Flabel’s guidance, HPU also returned to prominence with an 18–11 record in 2023–24, marking the program’s first PacWest Tournament appearance in seven years. Off the court, he co-founded the Shark Bite Mentorship Program, connecting Sharks players with local elementary schools, and has helped the program earn consecutive PacWest Award of Excellence nominations and the NCAA DII Runner-Up honor in 2023–24 for community engagement. A Boise, Idaho native, Flabel played collegiately at Rocky Mountain College and later served as a student manager at Idaho State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management. He also holds a master’s degree in Sports Management from American Public University.