LAHAINA — After a two-year sojourn to the Mainland due to COVID-19 restrictions, collegiate basketball’s premiere preseason tournament is returning to the Valley Isle, as the Maui Jim Maui Invitational tips off during Thanksgiving week, Nov. 21-23, at Lahaina Civic Center.

Sponsored and directed by Kemper Sports, the 2022 field of dreams for the 39th renewal of the event includes two-time champion Arizona, former titlist Texas Tech, Ohio State, San Diego State, Cincinnati, Louisville, Arkansas and Creighton.

Tip-off for the opening rounds begins on Monday, Nov. 21, followed by elimination games on Tuesday, and the championship finals and awards ceremony on Wednesday.

Go to Tickets-Center.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

The highly regarded tournament began in 1984 featuring storied hoops programs such as UCLA, North Carolina, Duke and Indiana, and the iconic leaders of those teams, including Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski and Bobby Knight.

The Maui Invitational quickly became the centerpiece event that annually attracted the top teams in the nation.

Several participants through the years took off from the tournament and reached the NCAA championships.

The Maui Invitational soon became a win-win event for the West Side community as well as the schools and supporters of the teams.

As the fall tourist season had traditionally suffered low numbers, this event boosted the in-person visitor numbers, and created nationwide exposure to a freezing nation of the pristine, sparkling Lahaina/Kaanapali land and seascape.

Played before packed houses at the 3,000-seat Lahaina Civic Center, hoops dreams came alive for inner-city kids and their families that never could have imagined their Maui adventures.

The Kaanapali Resort hosted the teams and supporters at the shoreline locales and treated them to unforgettable stays, featuring luaus, entertainment and local dining experiences.