Hawaii guard Drew Buggs inspired by friend’s memory

In preparing for every basketball game, Hawaii point guard Drew Buggs makes sure he is gritty in pink.

Buggs’ game shoes — whether orange or the recently unveiled green-and-white combo — always contain a streak of pink. Last season, Buggs favored green shoes with pink laces.

“It’s a tribute to my best friend and his sister,” Buggs said of the pink theme.

In 2005, Breanna Thayer died of cancer. She was 5.

Six years later, Jalen Thayer also lost his battle to cancer at age 16.

“It was really sad,” Buggs said.

Buggs and Jalen Thayer were childhood friends who shared the same hoop dreams.

“Jalen was an amazing athlete,” Buggs said.

“He was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Our goal was to play college sports. He’s been a driving force for me. He’s someone who I try to make proud and honor.”

The Jalen & Breanna Thayer Memorial Run/Walk was established to help bring awareness to childhood cancer.

A few years ago, Buggs began wearing a green-and-pink wristband. Because of rules restricting accessories, Buggs covers the band with a sleeve during games.

“I always wear this wristband,” Buggs said. “I like to play with the wristband on. I never take it off. I like to customize my shoes in his honor.”

Through the past week, Buggs wore the orange shoes in practices and games. But Buggs decided to go with the newly purchased shoes — white, green and, of course, pink — for the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. He will wear them for today’s fifth-place game against Rhode Island beginning at 10 a.m.

“I’m a guy who likes a lot of swag,” Buggs said. “Gear is everything to me. I like to change it up. The orange will definitely come back. But these (new) shoes I’ve been waiting to wear. I’ve been saving them for when we came back home. I got them on the (recent) road trip, and I’ve been saving them.”

In Sunday’s 70-62 overtime victory over Colorado, Buggs made a key 3-point shot and also played tough man-to-man defense in the closing minutes. Buggs has been a selective outside shooter, but is confident in his accuracy.

“I believe I can shoot pretty well,” he said. “I haven’t done it too great so far in my career, but that’s something I continue to work on every single day so I can perform better in the game shooting-wise.”

He credits his improvement to his teammates and the memory of the Thayer siblings.

“They’ve been a huge inspiration for me,” Buggs said.

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC

At Stan Sheriff Center

Today

Seventh place: Colorado vs. Charlotte, 8 a.m., ESPNU

Fifth place: Rhode Island vs. Hawaii, 10 a.m., ESPNU

Third place: UNLV vs. Bucknell, 1:30 p.m., ESPNU

Championship: Indiana State vs. TCU, 4 p.m., ESPN2