Hiram Thompson
April 21, 2010—Hiram Thompson has been a constant amid change. Since he first arrived at the University of Hawaii five years ago, teammates and coaches have come and gone, yet Thompson has remained. The 6-2, 175 lb. guard looks forward to his final year at Hawaii, playing under his third head coach in four seasons. Change is good, so they say, and Thompson believes this latest set of changes will lead to basketball success at the University of Hawaii. Photo: Thompson extends for a layup against the College of Charleston. Courtesy of UH Sports Media Relations.
LatterDaySports: When did you first come to the University of Hawaii?
Hiram Thompson: I graduated from high school in 2005 and came out here to UH for the 2005–06 season as a freshman.
LatterDaySports: Who was your coach at the time? Was it Riley Wallace?
Thompson: Yeah, it was coach Wallace at the time.
LatterDaySports: Why did you choose to come to the University of Hawaii?
Thompson: First, I love Hawaii. Growing up, I came out to Hawaii every year because my grandparents (Jim and Ipolani Thompson) live out in Laie. I fell in love with the islands and became familiar with them. I knew I would have family support out here, so that was cool. I liked the coaches and the way they played, and (Hawaii’s) in the Western Athletic Conference, so, a lot of the away games are near my hometown of Sacramento, California—San Jose (California), Reno (Nevada)—so I knew my family back home would be able to watch me too, so I had a lot of good reasons to come out here.
LatterDaySports: What other schools were recruiting you?
Thompson: A lot of WCC (West Coast Conference) schools. Some of the WCC schools were Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara. Some east coast schools like Boston University. Also BYU in Utah.
LatterDaySports: I understand that you played a year at Hawaii and then went on a mission. Where did you go?
Thompson started 29 games this past season, averaging 9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 3.9 apg. He led Hawaii in assists (113) and steals (32). Photo: Courtesy of UH Sports Media Relations.
Thompson: My mission was Iowa Des Moines, Spanish speaking.
LatterDaySports: Oh okay, that’s unique.
Thompson: (Laughter) Yeah, when I say that a lot of people are shocked. I was too when I got my call but there’s a lot of Hispanics out there.
LatterDaySports: Thinking back on your mission, what was memorable about it?
Thompson: There’s just so many great experiences out there … just overall, being out there on a mission was a great experience. You learn to forget yourself and just serve others. I found that when you serve others—and that’s your main focus—there’s no greater joy or happiness that you can receive. I really learned that from my mission.
LatterDaySports: When did you return to UH?
Thompson: I came back in 2008.
LatterDaySports: Who was your coach when you got back? Bob Nash?
Thompson: Yup, Bob Nash was coaching then. He was our assistant when I was playing as a freshman so I knew him and had a good relationship with him so it wasn’t like a huge change coming back.
LatterDaySports: What was the transition like coming back to school from your mission?
Thompson: It was fast because I came back in August of 2008 and school started August 15th. I went home for about a week and then I came straight out to Hawaii and started living with a few players from the team that weren’t members (of the church), so it was definitely a different environment. Some people have a tough time with the transition, but it was so fast. I had to do it and I didn’t really think about it. It was quick.
LatterDaySports: What do you like to do away from basketball and school?
Thompson: I love the beach. I grew up loving the beach so every chance I get I try to go to the beach and bodysurf or surf or just get in the water. (I enjoy) being out with friends, going to the movies, whatever, but when I have the opportunity to go to the beach, I’m going.
LatterDaySports: What are your favorite beaches?
Thompson: I love bodysurfing at Sandy’s (Sandy Beach on the southeastern tip of Oahu). I like going over to the north shore—the Laie area. I love the beach called Pounders. I’d say that’s my favorite beach. Those two are my top beaches out here.
WITH HIRAM THOMPSON
Ammon or Captain Moroni?
That’s tough. I’ll have to go with Ammon. Everybody loves Ammon and the story of him going out and chopping off some arms. That’s always an exciting story in the Book of Mormon. That one stands out with me but both are great prophets.
Blondes or brunettes?
I like the brunettes.Janice Kapp Perry or Mormon Tabernacle Choir?
I’ll go with Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I don’t even know Janice Kapp Perry.Krispy Kreme or Leonard’s malasadas?
I’m going to go with malasadas. Never been a Krispy Kreme liker. I’ve grown to love malasadas.Mac or PC?
I have a PC but I want a Mac. I just really like the Macs, but I have a PC so I can’t really talk trash about the PC.
LatterDaySports: Do you have any talents that people might not know about?
Thompson: Bodysurfing and surfing. I know Spanish. I like playing every sport.
LatterDaySports: Did you play other sports in high school?
Thompson: Growing up I played everything but once I got to high school I wanted to focus on basketball.
LatterDaySports: Obviously it’s been a rough year for UH basketball, culminating in the firing of coach Nash. You’ve been very supportive of him. What can you tell me about coach Nash?
Thompson: Coach Nash is an amazing guy. Anybody you talk to, they’ll say he’s a great guy. He’s there for you if you need him. I really liked him and connected with him.
LatterDaySports: Looking forward now, have you had a chance to meet with coach (Gib) Arnold?
Thompson: Yeah, I’ve met with him a few times and talked about the future. I’m really excited. He seems like a great coach, a great guy, and I feel like we’re going to be successful next year and that he’s going to have a successful coaching career here at UH. It’s been a smooth transition so far with him.
LatterDaySports: Is there anything specific that he talked about?
Thompson: His style of play. He’s into pushing the ball up the court. He wants to score as quickly as possible. That should be exciting.
LatterDaySports: What are your personal goals as you work toward your final year?
Thompson: I want to definitely enjoy my last year and play well. I want our team to be successful. I just want to win, so that’s the main goal.
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