VIDEO: Amis, Thompson named UH basketball captains

Senior forward Bill Amis and junior point guard Hiram Thompson were voted team captains by their teammates yesterday.

Amis is currently sidelined with a foot injury; Thompson is one of the quietest players on the roster.

"These are the guys the players wanted as their leaders, so I think that says a lot about them," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said.

Amis received the most votes, but Thompson was also named a captain as "second in command."

"Bill was the overwhelming choice," Nash said. "But we'll look to Hiram to take care of the duties until Bill can come back."

Amis tore the plantar fascia in his right foot in last week's exhibition victory over Brigham Young-Hawai'i. He is expected to miss at least the first month of the season, but will attend practices and games to observe from the sidelines.

There were no official captains on last season's 13-17 team, although Amis emerged as a respected leader.

"It's an honor, but it's also a huge responsibility," Amis said. "Just trying to keep everybody's attitude in the right spot and doing the right thing every time, really."

Amis has been the starting power forward since his sophomore season. He averaged 10.7 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds per game last season, and his 81 career blocked shots ranks seventh on UH's all-time list.

"Bill is a great leader ... everybody respects him and respects what he has to say," Thompson said.

Thompson is a junior, but has been with the UH program longer than any other player on the roster. He played as a true freshman during the 2005-06 season, then embarked on a two-year church mission. He returned to the team last season.

"I'm kind of a quiet guy, so I'm definitely going to have to step up and kind of get out of my comfort zone and be more vocal," Thompson said.

Amis said: "Hiram leads by example. He's not a real vocal guy, but he's always doing the right thing, and I think people are going to see that."

The 'Bows will open their season on Friday against Southern Utah on the opening night of the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic. It will be the first of three games in four nights for Hawai'i in the Rainbow Classic.

The 'Bows will also play McNeese State on Sunday, then Northern Colorado on Monday.

'BOWS BEING GRADED

The Hawai'i coaches will use game videos to grade the performance of each player this season.

Assistant coach Eran Ganot and video coordinator Johnny White will share the responsibility of meticulously reviewing every possession during a game.

They already graded the 'Bows' exhibition victories over Hawai'i-Hilo and BYU-Hawai'i, although the results will remain private.

"We're looking for how many times you don't box out, how many times you get to the offensive boards, how many times you get beat on dribble penetration, all that stuff and more," Nash said. "We want our guys to realize there's more to the team than just points and rebounds."

Indeed, Ganot said a boxscore is hardly a full indication of an individual player's effectiveness.

"A boxscore might tell you many points you scored, but how many did you give up?" he said. "That's the kind of thing we can track with the film."

Thompson, who started both exhibition games, said: "It holds the individual accountable for his mistakes. There's so much that comes out in film that maybe you didn't see in the game. It's a good way to learn from your mistakes."

Nash said he plans to have extended video sessions this season so that the players can review two teams — the opponent and themselves.

"It's always important to scout the opponent," Nash said. "But it's just as important to use the technology to help our own team as well. The important thing is making sure our guys are where they need to be, when they need to be there and the film tells the true story."

Nash said the game grades will be kept within the team, although the top scorers will be rewarded.

"They'll get more (game) minutes," Nash said. "That's the best reward you can get."

EARLY SIGNING PERIOD

The early signing period for recruits starts today and ends on Nov. 18.

Jordan Coleman, a 6-4 shooting guard at Calabasas High in California, is expected to sign with Hawai'i during the early period. He made a verbal commitment last month to play for the 'Bows.