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Nash likes new
vantage point
The former Iolani post enjoys
being a perimeter player
One of the best things about Bobby Nash's current job is the view.
Nash is in the second year of a transformation from an All-State post player in high school into a shooting guard for the Hawaii basketball team. And after playing with his back to the basket for four years, Nash is enjoying the freedom of roaming the perimeter.
"It's a lot prettier," Nash said. "There's a lot more stuff you can see instead of when I was at Iolani and you're stuck in that post.
"When my shot goes in, that basket looks more and more pretty."
Nash (6-foot-6, 185 pounds) played in 23 games as a true freshman last year, working at shooting guard and small forward for the Rainbow Warriors. Moving out of the post has meant handling the ball more than in high school, a skill he worked on over the summer.
"It's definitely been tough," Nash said. "I was a five (center) at Iolani and didn't really handle the ball because you had the sure hands of (All-State guard) Derrick Low. I was kind of forced to pick up my dribbling skills. It's been tough, but it's something you have to work through."
The transition remains a work in progress as the Rainbows close in on their season opener and UH head coach Riley Wallace said the sophomore still needs to work on his passing and defending quicker guards. But the coach has no questions about Nash's effort.
"He's probably worked harder than anyone to make that adjustment," Wallace said. "His dad (UH associate coach Bob Nash) is throwing him balls every day, they work out together. He's really worked hard to become a perimeter player."
In limited action last year, Nash showed he wasn't afraid to put up shots and gave the 'Bows a defensive spark at times. As a returnee this year, he is in line to see more playing time and perhaps start.
Wallace said the Rainbows' veterans remain ahead of the newcomers and will likely fill most of the starting spots for Sunday's exhibition game against UH-Hilo at the Stan Sheriff Center.
"They're definitely way ahead," Wallace said. "The (new) guys just learned the exterior part of the offense. The old guys know, 'If you do this, then we're going to counter with this.' You're teaching it but (the newcomers) haven't comprehended it yet, because they're still getting the shell."
Nash hopes his effort and experience lead to an expanded role this year and is working to prove he can handle his new role.
"You have to earn things around here," Nash said. "What you have to do is earn Coach Wallace's respect and earn his trust. Hopefully I can get on the court, help the team out and push the new guys in the right direction because that's what the older guys did for me last year."
New threads: The Rainbows used their annual media day to unveil a new look yesterday.
The team took the floor decked out in new black uniforms. The team will still wear the familiar home whites and green road uniforms as well.
"Man, they're cool," forward Julian Sensley said of the solid black look. "I like it. I like the color, it goes well. We have to do something new."
While the new uniforms -- which could be used for home games on special occasions -- are a departure from tradition; this is the same program that used lime green outfits in the early 1990s.
Signing period starts: The early signing period for basketball opens today and the Rainbows are expected to receive a national letter of intent from Salt Lake City Community College forward Ahmet Tidiane.
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound sophomore verbally committed to sign with UH last month. He averaged 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds last season.
The signing period runs through Nov. 17.
Say again: While the Rainbows are preparing for a challenging season, so are the broadcasters who follow the team.
With 6-5 guard Matt Gibson and 6-9 forward Matthew Gipson figuring to play prominent roles this season, enunciation will be paramount for those describing UH games.
"I'll probably call one Matt and the other Matthew," said Jim Leahey, the longtime television voice of UH sports for K5. "Matthew is the longer name and (Gipson) is the bigger player."
Bobby Curran's task will be to differentiate the players for his radio audience on KKEA (1420-AM).
"I'm going with Big Matt and Little Matt," Curran said. "That's caught on around the basketball office and with the team and I don't think it'll be long before the fans catch on to it.
"I've tried to think of every other permutation and everything else was just going to be confusing. ... If there's something better, I'm open to it."
The experiment begins Sunday when KKEA broadcasts UH's game against UH-Hilo.
www.hawaiiathletics.com
