Thompson rejoins Rainbow Warrior basketball team

HONOLULU — University of Hawai‘i men’s basketball head coach Bob Nash announced the return of Hiram Thompson to the Rainbow Warrior squad. After serving a two-year mission, the 6-4 point guard has signed a scholarship agreement with Hawai‘i and will rejoin the team for the 2008-09 campaign.

“We’re happy that Hiram has decided to return to Hawai‘i after serving his mission,” Nash said in a release. “As a freshman he gave us a glimpse of his talent and he was also one of our top student-athletes, which is reflected by his selection to the all-conference academic team. We’re excited to get him back in the fold and I anticipate he’ll be a key component in our program’s future success.”

The California native will have three years of eligibility. Thompson last suited up for the ‘Bows during the 2005-06 season, helping Hawai‘i to a 17-11 record as a freshman reserve. He appeared in 18 games averaging 2.8 points per game and 1.7 assists per game. In his most significant action of the year, Thompson led Hawai‘i to a win over Northwestern State in the 2005 Rainbow Classic. He scored 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, dished out four assists and had two steals in 27 minutes of action.

A 2005 graduate of Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, Calif., Thompson led Oak Ridge to a 31-4 record and the C.I.F. Division II state title as a senior. In the championship game, his team upset nationally ranked Mater Dei to earn the school’s first-ever state title. He was a two-time conference MVP and all-state selection.

Thompson joins 6-7 Canadian forward Adam Jespersen who signed a national letter of intent during last month’s early signing period.