Hawaii Preparatory Academy alum and Waimea native Brooke Samura had a life-changing experience playing her first year of women’s college basketball on the mainland, but soon realized how much she missed her home.
However, starting next season, Samura will have that opportunity to return to the Big Island.
After spending her freshman season with Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Wash., the star guard recently committed to play for Hawaii-Hilo — continuing her family legacy started by her mother, Melissa Samura, who graduated from the school in 1993 as a standout on the inaugural softball team. Brooke Samura’s elder brother, Shannon Samura, also graduated from UH-Hilo in 2016.
Following in her family’s footsteps, Brooke Samura couldn’t be more excited to reunite with those closest to her.
“I’m excited to play under the school that my mom also played college softball for,” Samura told West Hawaii Today. “I’m also excited to have more family come to my games. My mom being a Vulcan alum is also a reason as to why I feel more comfortable enrolling at UH-Hilo.
“I’m looking forward to being around my family and being at home. I’m excited to visit all of the beaches and see my friends more often, while also being able to play basketball.”
As a freshman for PLU in 2024-25, Samura appeared in all 25 games — starting in 17 of them.
She averaged 9.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 23.7 minutes per game. Samura scored in double figures in 11 games, including a season-high 25 points against Lewis and Clark in the season finale on Feb. 22.
Despite being homesick, Samura saw value in her first year of collegiate play.
“My first year of college at PLU was good,” Samura said. “I’m glad I got to experience making new friends and adventures, especially being able to play basketball at the college level.
“However, being in the mainland made me realize how much I value being home and being surrounded by my family.”
Samura additionally explained that UH-Hilo was the only program she considered transferring to, mainly due to its closeness to her hometown. Samura also saw the appeal of playing alongside fellow Vulcans from the Big Island that she played with or against growing up — including Kamehameha-Hawaii alum Keanu Huihui and Hilo High alum Keirstyn Agonias.
On top of all of that, the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies double-major program at UH-Hilo greatly intrigued Samura.
“UH-Hilo was the only school I planned on transferring home to, because I wanted to be on my island around my family,” Samura explained. “UH-Hilo also has a great program with girls whom I’ve also played with or against, so I know the competition and chemistry on the team will be great.”
Samura plans to bring her competitive nature and team-first mindset to a program that is looking to get back on the map in the PacWest conference.
“I hope to bring competition and add to the team as a whole,” she said. “I want to be open-minded and take in all that UH-Hilo has to offer when it comes to school, basketball and the friends I’ll make from playing.
“My goal for next year is to play to my best ability and expand myself as a player. I hope to continue and pass the level I reached this past year at PLU.”
Prior to graduating from HPA in the spring of 2024, Samura established herself as one of the best players in Hawaii with Ka Makani — being named the BIIF Division II Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2024 and 2022 while leading the state in scoring in her senior season (34.5 points per game).
