Bobby Nash fooled a lot of people — including his own mother — when he put some fake tattoos on his left arm for Halloween last week.

"A lot of people were coming up to me asking if it was real, if I really did it," he said. "My mom saw it, and she was ready to kick me out of the house."

Nash will try to fool a lot of opponents on the basketball court this season by suiting up in various positions for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

It will start Friday when the Rainbow Warriors host San Diego in the 2007-08 season opener at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Nash is the starting small forward for the 'Bows, but the 6-foot-6 senior may be asked to play all five positions at any given time during the season.

He is the only player on the roster capable of such versatility.

"Different teams may call for me to play different roles," he said. "Ever since I've been here, I kind of prided myself on knowing all the plays and knowing what each position is supposed to do on the court for each play."

It helps that Nash is in his fifth year with the program (he redshirted after his sophomore season). It also helps that his father, Bob Nash, is the head coach of the 'Bows, and was the associate coach for 20 years prior to becoming head coach this year.

"Bobby has been here longer than any of the other guys," Bob Nash said. "He's smart enough to know what everybody is supposed to be doing. If need be, we're confident we can call on him to fill any spot."

During an intrasquad scrimmage two weeks ago, Bobby filled in at point guard after starter Matt Gibson fouled out.

In recent practices, Bobby has been working at power forward to give fellow senior Jared Dillinger more court time at small forward.

"We can use all kinds of different lineups," Bobby said. "If we want to go big, I can move down to guard. If we want to go small and quick, I can move to (power forward). I think that makes it harder for the other team to prepare for us."

Last season, Bobby finished third on the team in scoring (11.2 points per game) and 3-pointers (41). He also contributed 4.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

He was known mostly as a perimeter player last season, but said he has enjoyed his recent practice sessions in the low-post.

"I like banging with the big guys and using some of my post moves," he said.

Bobby has also developed a reputation as an "annoying" post defender.

"That's what (assistant coach) Eran Ganot said about me," Bobby said. "I think it's because I'm active and like to move around and play angles. I just like to be ready for any situation."

'BOWS PREPARE WITH PRIVATE SCRIMMAGE

The 'Bows played a closed-door scrimmage against Hawai'i-Hilo on Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

In accordance with NCAA rules, the scrimmage was not advertised, and the public was not allowed to watch.

There was no official scorekeeper, but head coach Bob Nash said the 'Bows prevailed in the scrimmage, which followed a standard format (two 20-minute halves).

"Our running game got going a little better," Nash said. "And our defense was quicker. I think we accomplished what we set out to do."

Nash said the 'Bows had a size advantage over the NCAA Division II Vulcans.

"They were smaller and quicker so it really tested our running game," he said. "But our size was a difference."

Nash said guards Matt Gibson and Riley Luettgerodt were the individual standouts for the 'Bows.

It was the second private scrimmage of the preseason for the 'Bows. They also played at Brigham Young-Hawai'i two weeks ago.

"I thought we were much improved from the (BYUH) scrimmage," Nash said. "We're moving in the right direction."

MAYEN CLEARED TO RESUME PRACTICING

Sophomore forward Adhar Mayen was cleared Friday to rejoin the 'Bows.

He sat out nearly two weeks of practices while awaiting results from a physical examination.

"It was just some paperwork that needed to get done," Mayen said. "I'm fine."

Mayen was not allowed to practice while awaiting his clearance, but he did attend practices and observed from the sidelines.

"He'll be a little behind because he wasn't on the floor with the rest of the guys," Nash said. "But he should get up to speed soon enough. He knows what to do, he just has to work on the timing."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.