Posted on: Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Point guard will sign with UH men
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team received an oral commitment from a much-needed point guard yesterday.
Hiram Thompson — a 6-foot-4 senior at Oak Ridge High in El Dorado Hills, Calif. — said he will sign a letter of intent to play for the Rainbow Warriors.
"Everything about Hawai'i just felt right," he said. "Some other schools still wanted me to visit, but I made up my mind. I have a lot of family (in Hawai'i), and that was a big factor."
According to Oak Ridge High coach Steve Scott, Thompson averaged around 15 points and six assists per game this past season.
He is a two-time league Most Valuable Player, and is expected to receive all-state honors this season.
Two weeks ago, Thompson led Oak Ridge to an upset of nationally ranked Mater Dei in the Cali-fornia Division II state championship game. Oak Ridge finished 31-4 and won its first state basketball championship.
The team was honored during halftime of last night's NBA game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings.
"Hiram is walking away from Oak Ridge as the all-time leader in points and assists," Scott said. "He was a four-year starter for us at point guard, and there's no question in my mind that he'll be a tremendous point guard on the (NCAA) Division I level."
Thompson also was being recruited by Brigham Young, Utah, Boston University, Santa Clara, Saint Mary's and Vermont.
"He has the grades to go just about anywhere," Scott said. "He's a good student and a great kid. Hawai'i is getting a good one."
Scott said Thompson's statistics could have been more impressive if he were not so unselfish.
"The way we run our stuff, nobody really had big numbers," Scott said. "But Hiram did whatever he needed to do to help us win. Some nights, that was scoring; some nights that was distributing the ball.
"He's an outstanding shooter from 15 feet in, and he can get to the rim and finish. He still needs to work on his outside shooting, but he's improved with that every year. And one of the things I like best about him is his defense. He's one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the whole Sacramento area."
Thompson said Hawai'i's offense was similar to Oak Ridge's.
"We ran the flex at our high school, so it'll be a comfortable situation for me," he said.
He also will be comfortable around family members in Hawai'i.
Thompson's paternal grandparents, Jim and Lani Thompson, reside in La'ie. Several other relatives from his father's side of the family live in Hawai'i.
"We try to visit about once a year," said Matt Thompson, Hiram's father. "And Hiram loves the beach, so I'm sure that had a lot to do with it. It'll be fun for him to be away from home, and still get to play in front of a lot of family."
Hiram's sister, Jenna, is a student at Brigham Young-Hawai'i, but she will graduate in June. The Thompsons are members of the Mormon church.
One of Hawai'i's weaknesses last season was the point guard position. "Little Matt" Gibson emerged as the starting point guard, but the UH coaches would like to move him to shooting guard next season.
Thompson, who turned 18 earlier this month, said he will sign an official letter of intent when the "late" signing period begins April 13.
Two recruits signed with Hawai'i during the early signing period: 6-8 forward Ahmet Tidiane Gueye of Salt Lake Community College (Utah) and 6-6 shooting guard Matt Lojeski of Eastern Wyoming College.
Former 'Bow English honored by NBDL
Former University of Hawai'i guard Carl English was an honorable mention selection on the All-National Basketball Development League team released yesterday.
English, a 6-5 shooting guard, is averaging 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 40 games for the Florida Flame. He also leads the league with a 46.2 percentage from 3-point range.
The NBDL, which has six teams this season, still has two weeks remaining in its regular-season schedule.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
