Warrior Insider

At 6 feet 7, Scott Fisher is bringing a big presence to the coaching staff of the Hawaii basketball team.

Fisher was officially announced as an assistant coach for the Warriors last week, although he is no stranger to the program. He served as the director of basketball operations last season, and has thus made a smooth transition to his new role.

“I think it was important to be involved last year to see how it was all going to shape out,” he said. “It’s a big advantage for all of us going into our second year. The whole staff was new (last year) so we have a better idea of each other’s personalities. And at least we’ve got half the team now that understands the verbiage and what we’re talking about. We’re so far advanced this year beyond where we were last year at the same time, it’s pretty exciting.”

Fisher is expected to bring several strengths to the team. For one, he was a successful post player as a professional in Australia’s National Basketball League. He was twice named the MVP of the league and was selected to the league’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

“I made a living out of basketball as a player for 16 years and I’m not blessed with a lot of athleticism,” he said. “So I think as a ‘smaller big’ without a lot of athleticism, I learned a lot of moves and little techniques to be successful … I think I can instill a little bit of that on the big guys.”

And after spending two decades in Australia as a player and coach, Fisher is expected to put many of his contacts to use in recruiting.

“I think without question, in the next year or two we’re going to see some other foreign players here at Hawaii,” he said.

Fisher said he is also looking forward to winning the bragging rights on the basketball court among the UH coaches.

“As humble as I can be, I kick ass on any of these guys,” he said.