With head coach Alika Smith looking on from the upper bleachers, Geremy Robinson swooped in from behind his fast-breaking opponent to deliver a Tayshaun Prince-like rejection at the rim.

Seconds later, the former University of Hawai'i standout caught the ball on the right baseline and launched a smooth spot-up 3-pointer that hit nothing but net. On his team's next possession, Robinson split two defenders and delivered a double-clutch pass to a teammate streaking along the baseline for a layup.

While a spot on the still-TBA Hawaii Hurricanes roster would seem a virtual lock, Robinson wasn't leaving anything to chance yesterday as he joined 26 other hopefuls at a tryout at Kalaheo High gym yesterday.

The team makes its American Basketball Association debut Nov. 11.

"The ABA is a strong league," said Robinson, who played for the St. Louis Flight in 2004. "It's an exciting brand of basketball. Today, guys went out there and gave it their all."

Smith, a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference guard at UH and later an assistant at UH-Hilo and UH, is drawing on his Rainbow connections to build his roster.

In addition to Robinson, Deonte Tatum and Jason Carter are in the mix, and Smith has also been in contact with Julian Sensley. Former Rainbow Justice Sueing attended the morning portion of yesterday's tryouts.

Other possible selections include Hawai'i Pacific University alums Kawika Smith and Llewellyn Smalley.

The Hurricanes will hold another tryout in Las Vegas next month. Expected to attend are 7-footer Mike Adams and 6-foot-8 Anthony Williams, both of whom attended Indian Hills Community College and were referred to Smith by Tatum, also an Indian Hills alum.

Smith said about half of yesterday's auditioners are serious contenders to make the team. In particular, he said he was looking for players who can play a fast-paced, up-and-down game.

"We're looking for players who are smart, can take care of the ball, know how to play and are coachable," Smith said.

Smith said he understands people's skepticism about a semi-pro team surviving in Hawai'i, but he's confident team owner Andrew Moss can make it work.

"A league like this is all about money and sponsorships, and he's got that," Smith said.

Aqua Hotels and Hawaiian Airlines are key sponsors, supplying flights for the team and lodging for players and opponents.

Most of the players who turned out have high school and small-college experience. A few played Division I and semi-pro ball. If selected, they'll earn $2,000 a month plus housing.

Erick Dallas, 34, of Makiki, was the graybeard of the group. Dallas played for Larry Finch at Memphis and had two tryouts with the Yakama Sun Kings of the Continental Basketball Association.

"This brings to mind the old gym rat days where guys are hustling every play," Dallas said. "There's very little room for error, and that brings out the best in guys."

Dallas hopes he can find a place as an experienced swing man and mentor to younger players on the team.

"This is a stepping stone to building something special here at home," he said. "I can't wait to see this team grow and evolve into something the people of Hawai'i will be excited to watch."

Hiroshi Yanagihara, a 22-year-old construction worker from Osaka, Japan, flew over just to see how he would fare. Yanagihara played center at Osaka Gakuin University, where he majored in English.

"Everybody is big and powerful," he said, "and I'm skinny and short."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.