Michael Thomas, who was a key starter in the University of Hawaii basketball team’s 2016 NCAA Tournament run, is returning to the Rainbow Warriors as an assistant coach. He is the winningest player in the program’s history.

There were coaching vacancies created when Chris Gerlufsen became San Francisco’s associate head coach and Jabari Trotter returned to Dartmouth, his alma mater, as an assistant coaching emphasizing on defense and West Coast recruiting.

Thomas will work with the frontcourt players while also being involved in recruiting, player development, scouting and strength.

Thomas has been working for Athletic Gaines, an athletic-performance company that helps NBA and NFL players in offseason training as well as develop prospects for coming combines.

During the 2015-2016 season, Thomas, who is 6 feet 7, started all 34 games in helping the ’Bows win the Big West title and upset California in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. It was the first NCAA Tournament victory in the program’s history.

Thomas redshirted because of a wrist injury in 2016-2017. As a senior in 2017-2018, Thomas averaged 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in being named the winner of the Art Woolaway Most Outstanding Player Award.