Versatility has come by necessity for the Hawaii men’s basketball team.

With five key players sidelined this week with myriad injuries, the Rainbow Warriors have been forced to improvise in their preseason practices. Healthy players have shifted out of their natural positions, generally "playing up" because of a dearth of size.

In two specific cases, that hasn’t necessarily been a bad thing.

Sophomores Aaron Valdes and Mike Thomas, who both consider small forward their natural position, have played at power forward and center, respectively, and have been among two of the most productive ‘Bows since practices began nearly two weeks ago.

They’ve also had to play nearly nonstop. Typically, coach Gib Arnold will sub players out periodically over a two- to three-hour practice. But lately there have been only one or two healthy substitutes — and they’re guards.

Big men Isaac Fotu (back), Stefan Jankovic (knee/head) and Sammis Reyes(toe); guard BrandonJawato (head) and wing Negus Webster-Chan (ribs) were all out on Tuesday.

"I look at that group sitting down, and I’d sure like to see where we’d be at with full strength," Arnold said. "But I guess if there’s any time to have it, have it now."

In the meantime, the 6-foot-5 Valdes and the 6-7 Thomas have used their athleticism and energy to distinguish themselves, albeit against a lean defensive front besides 6-11 Stefan Jovanovic.

Before he got sidelined with what Arnold said was a cracked rib, Webster-Chan (listed at 6-7) was also operating in the post.

"I think what we’re seeing is guys that are starting to play other positions, and Ido think in the long run that can probably help us, if someone were to go down or get in foul trouble," Arnold said. "(If) we need a guy to play small forward who’s pretty much just played power forward, we can do it because we’re having to do it right now. So it hurts in practice, you can’t do quite as much as you’d like to. Once you’re playing another team, we’ll have plenty of guys who know multiple positions (more than) they normally would."

Thomas played sparingly as a true freshman and often shied away from contact. Combined with a shaky jump shot, that limited his minutes.

But he played aggressively during the team’s Green & White scrimmage and has kept the momentum going when the fans aren’t watching.

"I think I’m hungry. I’m hungry for this year to start," Thomas said. "There’s minutes out there, definitely, with guys being injured and stuff like that.Just a chance to show Coach what I can do with both those positions that are open right now."

Thomas has been finishing well at the rim through contact. He said an admittedly timid mind-set changed by the end of last season as he watched Christian Standhardinger and Fotu seek out contact against the likes of 7-6 UC Irvine center MamadouNdiaye and other bigs in the Big West. A full offseason of weight training also helped.

"Last year, I was tentative, a little scared at times, afraid of contact and stuff like that. But now I’ve just been taking it. It’s fun," he said with a laugh.

Valdes, playing at the 4, hasn’t been dribbling or shooting like he would at the 3. It’s allowed him to embrace his greatest asset –his gravity-defying leaping ability –for plays around the rim.

"I’m used to (playing up front)," Valdes said. "In the two years I’ve been here previously I’ve had to play it a couple times. I’m kind of used to it, but it’s just getting me stronger and ready for the season."

Arnold said Fotu should be back at the start of next week from the disc problem in his back suffered during the FIBA World Cup. Jankovic was going to run fullcourt for the first time this week but took a blow to the head before he could, and is being monitored for concussion-like symptoms. So is Jawato, who was on the cusp of a full return from his offseason ankle surgery but complained of recurring headaches.

Reyes worsened a small hairline fracture on his pinkie toe while getting on a bus a few days ago, Arnold said, and is projected out another week.