Hawaii men’s basketball: Zoar Nedd assertive at Green & White scrimmage

The 10 who saw action in Hawaii’s Green & White scrimmage on Saturday afternoon had every opportunity to make a case for playing time in the upcoming 2019-20 season.

Redshirt freshman Zoar Nedd did just that, scoring 10 points in 25 minutes of game action spanning three periods in front of a crowd of about 400 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

“It was special. It was the first couple buckets I ever had (in front of a crowd) in this arena,” said Nedd, a walk-on out of Kapolei High. “It was nice to see a couple shots go in. I was just trying to play within myself and not get too crazy just because the fans were here. It doesn’t make any difference. You know, just stay calm and play within myself and the offense.”

Redshirt freshman Zoar Nedd scored his first baskets in front of a Stan Sheriff Center crowd (exhibition or otherwise) in today’s #HawaiiMBB Green & White scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/OJIkYfcXZf

— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) October 13, 2019

The 6-foot-5 Nedd sat out all game action while UH went 18-13 (9-7 Big West) last season.

“Last year was mostly just me learning the system and doing whatever I can to support my teammates,” he said. “This year, I’m more so just trying to defend, rebound, and take of the ball. Like Coach (Eran Ganot) says, whatever I can do help the team win, that’s what I’m going to try and do.”

There was little room for timidity with few proven scorers back from last season, and others still knocked out of action with preseason injuries.

“I told Zoar the other day at practice that he has a prime opportunity right now to fight for some minutes,” point guard Drew Buggs said. “We’re down people on the roster right now, and I told him ‘you don’t ever want to take a backseat. Come out there and compete every day.’ I think he did a really good job of that competing on the White squad. At times when they were a little flat, he brought energy. He was competing, he was competing his butt off. He stole a pass from me. I was sick, but it was a great play on his end. I told him I taught him that. I was really happy to see him come out here and not be afraid, not by shy and really compete.”

Junior forward Samuta Avea had some explosive moments — including a one-handed jam on a fast-break give from Nedd — among his team-high 22 points. Sophomore center Dawson Carper put in a quiet 17 in going head-to-head with Mate Colina.

Nedd might have been the biggest surprise, as he took over for the White team to open the second 10-minute period.

He started the period strong with a couple of baskets and a drop-off assist to Carper. He followed with a long 2, scoring or assisting on his side’s first eight points of the period.

Redshirt freshman Zoar Nedd making some plays for the #HawaiiMBB Green squad. He’s scored or assisted on all 8 points for his side in the second period. pic.twitter.com/S1uwH8NImO

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— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) October 12, 2019

He finished shooting 3-for-5 from the field and 4-for-7 from the line.

“Coach G (new assistant Chris Gerlufsen) has been harping on me … seeing the game and not just looking to pass the ball around,” Nedd said. “I thought I did good. Buggs thought I did good. So it’s always good to hear from your point guard.”

Ganot gave him some encouragement as well, but put that in the context of the whole team needing to achieve more at this stage. There’s four weeks left before the Nov. 8 opener against Florida A&M, and as Saturday’s sometimes-sloppy scrimmage showed, plenty to work out.

“It was good to see. I thought he played right. He was moving the ball,” Ganot said. “At the end of the day, I think one of the keys for our team is returners need to match the level that Zigmars (Raimo) and Drew have been playing at, and set a good bar for our younger guys. That means guys like Eddie (Stansberry) and Mate and Dawson and Samuta and (Justin) Hemsley and Zoar, who’ve been in our program, need to make that jump in terms of the standard with which we operate on both ends of the floor.”

#HawaiiMBB junior wing Samuta Avea analyzes the team’s Green & White scrimmage performance. pic.twitter.com/HtxdZjccDH

— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) October 13, 2019

The scrimmage closed with a five-minute period and a look at a possible starting five, with Buggs and Stansberry in the backcourt, Avea at small forward, Raimo at power forward and Carper at center.

There were just enough players available for the officiated 5-on-5 fullcourt action. Senior guard Ahmed Ali, sophomore big man Owen Hulland, freshman forward Bernardo da Silva, freshman walk-on guard Kameron Ng and freshman walk-on wing Garrett Cason were out.

In most of the cases, it’s not clear when those players will be back. Ali is the most pressing worry, as UH is in need of his skill-set of shooting and playmaking coming from Washington State. His ailment has not been disclosed, though he was good-naturedly taking shots on the floor between scrimmage action.