On Friday, the Hawaii Swish launch what they hope marks a turn of the page for professional basketball in the islands.

The startup franchise’s first of six scheduled games in the American Basketball Association tips off at 7:30 that night at the Blaisdell Arena, a matchup against the Yuba City Goldminers.

The Swish are coached by former University of Hawaii guard Artie Wilson. The roster is a collection of former UH and local small college players, plus some island transplants.

“It’s going to be a really historic night. You’ll want to be there,” said team owner-player Geremy Robinson, a UH guard in 1998-99 and 99-00. “You may want to save your ticket, depending on the things that will be going on in the future. But it’s going to be very beautiful. It’s not going to be anything to count out.”

There have been multiple failed attempts at ABA franchises here, most recently the Hawaii Hammerheads last fall. Some didn’t play a single game, others folded after one or two. Travel costs have always been the biggest obstacle.

Robinson said that for the time being, he’s shouldering the costs himself — “totally on my back.” He’s optimistic for a strong opening crowd for the Goldminers (7-3) and a performance that will attract investors.

The Swish are a late addition to the ABA season; Robinson hopes for a full run next year.

“Geremy decided to take the bull by the horns and try to make it happen,” Wilson said. “A lot of guys have come into Hawaii trying to make it happen, but they’ve been from the outside, trying to come in and sell people in Hawaii on a product. … After a few weeks of Geremy constantly calling and talking about it, I said, ‘OK, Geremy, I’ll step out and try to help with this.’ ”

Former UH point guard Miah Ostrowski (2010-11, 11-12) said he’s on the team to try to give a chance to future players coming out of Hawaii.

“It’s a very unique situation,” Ostrowski said. “We’ve got guys from Chaminade, BYU-Hawaii, University of Hawaii and some guys from the mainland, Navy. We’re all trying to put together and have one goal, and that’s to put on a good show (and) try to get these wins. Show the people that we can actually have a team out here that can compete with some of the guys in the mainland.”

The ABA plays with a 24-second shot clock, a seven-second backcourt rule and 4-point shots from beyond halfcourt.

Tickets for adults are $10. For the full Swish roster and other information, visit HawaiiWarriorWorld.com.