Homecoming for Samura: 2024 HPA graduate switches basketball team from PLU to UH-Hilo
**"Home Sweet Home": Brooke Samura's Journey Chooses UH-Hilo
Brooke Samura, a star basketball player from the picturesque town of Waimea, is swapping the chilly Pacific Northwest for the tropical paradise of the Big Island. The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-Hilo) will be Samura's new home court next season, marking a triumphant return to her roots.
After an impressive freshman year with Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Parkland, Washington, Samura has decided to venture back to her home turf, rightly enticed by the family legacy and hometown warmth that awaits her at UH-Hilo. Her mom, Melissa Samura, and elder brother, Shannon Samura, are both alums of the school.
Embracing the sentiment of coming home, Samura expressed her excitement about playing for a school her mother excelled at, relishing the prospect of more familial support at her games. "I'm looking forward to being around my family and being at home," Samura stated gleefully. "I'm excited to visit all of the beaches and see my friends more often, while also being able to play basketball."
The lure of family ties and the alluring beauty of her beloved hometown were not the only factors at play in Samura's decision. She found an ideal blend of academic and athletic opportunities at UH-Hilo, where she can grow as a student and a player while immersed in her Hawaiian culture.
Indeed, UH-Hilo's Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies double-major program caught Samura's eye and piqued her academic curiosity. The school's stunning location and appealing academic programs have combined to create a life-changing opportunity that Samura couldn't resist.
With her competitive spirit and selfless mindset, Samura aims to bring a fresh dynamism to the Vulcans' roster as they strive to reclaim their glory in the PacWest conference. As she gears up for her sophomore year, Samura aspires to build on the impressive platform she laid as a freshman at PLU while continuing to grow as an athlete and individual."
Sources:
[1] West Hawaii Today
[2] Big Island Now
[3] Hawaii Preparatory Academy
[4] Pacific Lutheran University
Brooke Samura, in her pursuit of an athletic and academic challenge, will soon be participating in both sports and NCAA-basketball at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-Hilo), where she aims to revitalize the Vulcans' basketball team in the PacWest conference. Collaborating academically with her Hawaiian heritage, she will be majoring in Hawaiian language and studies at the institution, which offers captivating beach locations and a picturesque home setting – a perfect match for her quest to continue her growth as an athlete and individual, as well as being close to her family and hometown.
