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Smith and Thomas win new awards at banquet

Along the way to making history during the 2015-16 season, the University of Hawai’i basketball team also had to understand the history of the program it was taking to new heights.

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First-year head coach Eran Ganot emphasized it during the season, and did it again during the team’s Awards Banquet on Thursday night at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom.

In addition to the traditional annual awards, two new awards were presented this year, in honor of two historical names from the program’s past.

Senior guard Quincy Smith won the inaugural Riley Wallace Leadership Award – created in honor of the winningest coach in UH program history. Junior forward Mike Thomas won the Bob Nash Hustle Award – created in honor of the “Fabulous Five” player and a member of the UH coaching staff for nearly 30 years.

“To build for the future, you have to honor your past,” Ganot said. “To honor your past, you have to know your past.”

Senior point guard Roderick Bobbitt and junior forward/center Stefan Jankovic were named co-recipients of the Art Woolaway Outstanding Player Award.

Bobbitt, Jankovic and Aaron Valdes did not attend the banquet. All three are in California, training for future professional basketball opportunities.

The Hawaiii 5O bench crew, which drew local and national media attention for its choreographed celebrations during games, was named the winner of the Ah Chew Goo Most Inspirational Award.

2015-16 Award Winners

Community Service Award: Niko Filipovich

Scholar-Athlete Award: Sai Tummala

Bob Nash Hustle Award: Michael Thomas

Riley Wallace Leadership Award: Quincy Smith

Ah Chew Goo Most Inspirational Award: Hawaii 5-0

Most Improved Award: Quincy Smith

Art Woolaway Most Outstanding Player Award: Stefan Jankovic & Roderick Bobbitt

(Photo courtesy Brandon Flores / www.brandonfloresphotography.com)

CLICK HERE to view more photos from the event

9 Comments

  1. Quincy deserves the accolades Through thick and thin a true Warrior. Never an attitude problem. Represents our program to high standards. And is some one you’d love to have as your son. Hel’ll be successful in whatever field of business he pursues. Mahalos Quincy , thankyou for representing the 808 and the University of Hawaii.

  2. A fitting end to one of Hawaii’s greatest seasons. You are all winners.

  3. Quincy has come a long way, as a player and a person, since we first saw him in the summer league way back when. His growth was amazing to witness, and he certainly earned and is deserving of his two awards. Mahalo, Q, and best of luck in your immediate goal of playing pro ball.

  4. Super ! All the way around.
    Nice going Niko ! Mahalo !

  5. Supposed to have two signees announced today.

  6. islandman: Did you get that information from what Curran said this morning, or did you hear it from another source? I’m guessing if there are two signees, one will be the guy from Latvia, who only made a verbal pledge. The other? Maybe the UCLA transfer or the guard who also visited last week. It was reported earlier that Gibson Johnson will hold off on a decision until after he trips to NC State, which, by the way, is in dire need of big men.

  7. Who are the signees? Word was we had 4 recruits in this past weekend, as well.

  8. Per Mcinnis: UH expected to annouce signings of Raimo (the Latvian) and Allen (the UCLA transfer) today.

  9. It’s official. UH has announced the signings of Raimo and Allen. It’s on the athletics’ web site.

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