KAC Thunder: Friday update

Big, big mahalo to Jimmy Miyasaka for stopping by today and working with our Thunder on shooting technique and screen development. Jimmy, you went beyond the call and I thank you! You're destined to coach one day, and you're going to be terrific, just like your dad.

For the guys who made it to practice today — Shawn, Orion, Colby, Tai, Cody and Josh (injured) — it was a valuable lesson, extended tutelage from one of the best pure shooters in Hawaii high school basketball history. 

If you're not familiar with Jimmy, he was a standout player at Kaimuki six, seven years ago. Even before that, while he was an eighth grader, he'd hang out with our JV team since his dad was my assistant coach. Even then, Jimmy was the best shooter in the gym, even compared to the JV and varsity players. 

Here's a story about Jimmy by Billy Hull back in January of 2004. 

Jimmy went on to make the Star-Bulletin Boys Basketball All-State Team before continuing his career at Cal Poly Pomona, one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the nation. He's nearly done now with optometry school, but still finds time to play in his limited free time. He played with a semi-pro team in Taiwan recently. 

What really impressed me today about Jimmy's work with our Thunder was his 1-on-1 teaching of shooting technique. He has such great attention to detail and knows how to address the different nuances and flaws of each player's shooting form. I knew he would be a great teacher. I just didn't know if he was going to have time to work with us today since he's on a brief vacation and his girlfriend was flying in from the mainland tonight. 

What a blessing. Thanks again, Jimmy! 

Schedule

Saturday, practice 4:30 p.m., Kahala Park

Sunday, pregame 3 p.m., game 4 p.m., Kalani High School gym