"Multiple personalties," says Nani "Maika" Cockett. "Definitely a lot of different personalities. Silly, grumpy, joking, quiet."
That's the self-analysis by the junior forward on the University of Hawaii Wahine basketball team. The schizophrenia on the court translates into Cockett being one of the most complex and versatile players on the college scene this season.
"She's just an outstanding all-around athlete," said Wahine assistant basketball coach George Wolfe. "I feel we could play her at any position on the floor. She's one of our fastest players. Last year, she was our best defender, leading the team in steals and blocks.
"She's so smooth, you don't notice how hard she's working. As much scouting as I've done nationwide, she matches up with anyone, even the first-team All-Americans."
With the graduation of Tania Brunton, Cockett is moving from off-guard to small forward as Hawaii looks to carry its success in the Big West into its first Western Athletic Conference campaign. The new challenges for the Wahine are mirrored in the challenges for Cockett, who will be looked upon for more leadership and scoring.
"What Maika needs to do is the same thing she did when we didn't say, 'Let's rely on Tania," said Hawaii coach Vince Goo, who opens his 10th season with Sunday's 7 p.m. exhibition against the New Zealand national team. "When that happened, she went out and just played. When Tania got in foul trouble or had to rest, Maika stepped up and got the job done. That's what she's going to have to do every night for us. Tania's not here now."
Cockett, a two-sport all-star at Kamehameha Schools, is well aware of her new role. She got a glimpse of it in the title game of the Big West Tournament against Pacific when Brunton got into early foul trouble.
Cockett came on to score 22 of her clutch 28 points in the second half to lead the Wahine to their first conference tournament championship. The gutsy performance surprised no one who has seen her rebound from two potentially career-ending knee injuries since 1992.
"Nani is an original, one of a kind," said senior guard Tiffany Fujimoto. "She doesn't say much but she has her own way of telling us what we need to get done. She'll go out and do what she thinks we need.
"People on the team look up to her, they like her style of play. When we've needed it, she's come out big for us."
It's a style she learned from her father, Clay, a longtime basketball coach at Kamehameha.
"My dad has been my role model," said Cockett, the 1993-94 Big West Freshman of the Year. "I don't know when I got into basketball. I was always in the gym after school. One day, I picked up a ball and realized it was fun."
Cockett enjoys playing jokes on her teammates. It carries over onto the court where she constantly fools opponents.
"I'm tall and people think tall means awkward and slow," said the 5-foot-11 Cockett.
She's anything but awkward and slow. Senior center Kendis Leeburg knows from experience.
"I know when she's going to go for that baseline jumper of hers, I have to get out of the way," said Leeburg. "Because 100 times out of 100, she's going to put it in the hole. She's so quick with her passes that I'll either be 'Oh, thanks, nice pass' or 'Oops, didn't see that coming.'
"She's so hard to defend. People don't know whether to get in her face because she'll go inside with a pass, or back off because she'll shoot from the outside."
Cockett doesn't care, either. Every day she gives thanks that she's still able to play.
"I just hope to stay healthy," said Cockett. "I don't know if I'm a role model (for younger players) but it's not a choice NOT to be one. Whatever I need to do, I'll try to do the best I can."
Year FG-FGA Pct. 3P-3PA Pct. FT-FTA Pct. Reb. Avg. Ast. Blk. St. TP Avg. 93-94 114-230 .496 33-77 .429 70-84 .833 108 3.8 62 19 40 331 11.0 94-95 20-41 .488 5-8 .625 8-11 .727 13 3.3 13 2 4 53 13.3 95-96 154-375 .411 36-112 .321 87-138 .630 113 3.9 72 25 77 431 14.9 Totals 288-646 .445 74-197 .376 165-233 .708 234 3.7 147 46 121 815 12.9