For Fraschilla, ball never stops bouncing

Basketball runs 24/7, 365 days a year for Fran Fraschilla.

The former college coach and current ESPN analyst isn’t getting back into basketball mode with three clinics in Hawaii this week. That’s because the hoops junkie never stops of thinking in terms of hardwood and high-tops.

"It never stops," the native New Yorker said, noting that he recently called ESPN’s coverage of the FIBA European Championships. "It’s a good lead-in for the (college) season."

Fraschilla and women’s basketball legend Nancy Lieberman are part of the staff for three adidas Hoops Clinics in partnership with the EA Sports Maui Invitational. The clinics are today at McKinley High, Thursday at Kalaheo High, and Saturday at Maui High.

In their second year of operation, the clinics are for both kids and local coaches to hone fundamentals.

Fraschilla, who compiled a 175-100 record as head coach at Manhattan, St. John’s and New Mexico, was invited by tournament chair Dave Odom this year in what will be a rotating annual cast of coaches.

Ten years out from his last head coaching gig at New Mexico, Fraschilla said he has no desire to return to the bench. He’s been an analyst at ESPN since 2004.

"I don’t miss the grind," he said. "But I’m sure being (in Hawaii) will bring back some memories."

Fraschilla chuckled, thinking back to his days as an assistant at Providence in 1991. Division II Chaminade stunned the Friars on Maui that year for one of the Silverswords’ six all-time wins in its signature tournament.

"That’s what the tournament is all about," Fraschilla said. "All the history there … I was honored to be a part of (the coaching committee)."

This year’s field on Maui includes Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan, Tennessee and UCLA. The tournament is Nov. 21-23.

Chaminade, the host school of the Maui Invitational, will have its men’s and women’s head coaches, Eric Bovaird and Bobby Keanini, on hand to teach at the clinics as well.

The clinics cost $25 to reserve a spot, with the two Oahu clinics running from 5 to 9 p.m and the Maui clinic from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To register, visit goswords.com.