All 94 feet, all the time. Going hard, baseline to baseline, touching every area of the basketball court.

It describes how Phil Handy has lived his passion, first as a player, then as a pro, then as a mentor and trainer with his aptly named company 94 Feet of Game.

His talent for developing players has led to his return to the NBA, this time with one of the most high-profile teams in the league: the Los Angeles Lakers.

Handy, a former small forward for the University of Hawaii (1993-95), has joined the staff of first-year Lakers coach Mike Brown as the player development coach. Three months into the job, the 40-year-old can’t help but smile at a bit of deja vu.

Prior to the start of Handy’s senior year at UH, the Lakers did their preseason training at Klum Gym but "it never crossed my mind that someday I’d be a part of the ‘Purple and Gold,’ " Handy said. "I’m not surprised (about getting the job), knowing how hard I’ve worked the last 13 years, building a successful training business, and putting myself in the position where I could be hired.

"But timing is everything, just like Jeremy Lin (the New York Knicks sensation who trained with Handy in high school). He’s a hard-working guy who was in the right place at the right time with the right coach and the right system."

So it was for Handy. The opportunity for "a pretty cool first NBA job" came with the retirement of Lakers coach Phil Jackson and the hiring of Brown last July.

It came via connections and recommendations. Among those putting in a good word was Brown’s close friend Randy Bennett, the head basketball coach at Saint Mary’s. Handy worked with Bennett’s Gaels for five offseasons and "he was happy with the progress his guys were making," Handy said.

"I was surprised when (Brown) called. I officially moved down (from the Bay Area) when the lockout ended."

In the nine weeks since the season began, Handy and Christina, his wife of 14 years, have made themselves at home in Playa Vista, about a 10-minute drive from the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo. He’s still getting used to the infamous Los Angeles traffic, but has adjusted quickly to Brown’s way of doing things.

"I think when you come in with a whole new staff it gives everyone the opportunity to grow and learn collectively as a group," Handy said. "I think it would have been difficult coming in as the only new guy on an established staff. We’re learning about each other and the players. It’s a good, positive working environment. Mike expects his staff to be loyal and to be as energized and hard-working as he is."

Brown’s been happy with the hire.

"Phil adds a wealth of experience, especially in the player-development area," Brown said in an email to the Star-Advertiser. "He’s been doing that for a lot of years. He does a great job of knowing how guys think and how they react to different situations. Phil has shown over the course of time that he can develop guys and help them reach their maximum potential."

Former UH coaches Riley Wallace and Bob Nash both said they weren’t surprised to hear of Handy’s new job.

"It’s a perfect fit for the Lakers and their young guys," said Nash, who helped recruit Handy. "He’ll push them to develop. Phil’s always been a hard worker, just tireless, and a great competitor. It’s a good fit."

"He’ll be good at it," Wallace said. "He’s been working with players and I always thought this would happen for him. He was very intense as a player, was a hard worker and loves the game. He’s very much like Jarinn Akana."

Akana, a former guard for the Rainbows and ex-NBA assistant, is a sports agent in Los Angeles. Handy said he sees Akana occasionally, as well as former UH guard Anthony Carter, who plays for the Toronto Raptors.

Handy is in charge of the team’s on-court workouts, both individually and in small groups. On home-game days, he and the rookies arrive 30 minutes before the shoot-around for a 20-minute workout.

"I like all of our guys," he said. "I do like working with Pau (Gasol), a very skilled, unique, intelligent player. And I’m trying to help Andrew (Goudelock) with his crossover dribble and getting more fluid so he can free himself up for shots. The best part about my job is I’m around basketball 24-7. I get to breathe it, live it, sleep it. It’s the opportunity to be around basketball at the highest level and I’m enjoying the education, what I’m learning from the players."

Handy also is learning that the Lakers’ "Showtime" is alive and well at the Staples Center.

"There are celebrities all over the place, right next to the bench," he said. "Charlize Theron, LL Cool J, Rihanna … the list goes on and on. And it’s on a nightly basis. It’s cool that they are intrigued with what goes on with the team. They aren’t just showing up. They are real fans."