When you mention Hawai‘i basketball, one of the first names that comes to mind is associate head coach Bob Nash. Nash has been a part of the program for the past 22 years, two as a player and 20 as an assistant coach. As an assistant, he has served under three head coaches: Larry Little, Frank Arnold, and current boss Riley Wallace.

Since Wallace took over in the 1987-88 season, Nash has been serving in his current role of associate head coach. For 14 years, the program has flourished, making two trips to the NCAA Tournament and four appearances in the National Invitation Tournament.

As associate head coach, Nash is the team’s primary strategist, breaking down the opponent’s tendencies. His other duties include film breakdown and game preparation.

As a player, Nash was a member of the school’s famed "Fabulous Five," during the 1970-71 and 1971-72 seasons under legendary head coach Red Rocha. In those years, the team compiled a 47-8 record, the best two-year record in the history of the program, and made the postseason twice. In the 1970-71 season, the ’Bows made it to the second round of the NIT in New York City and in the 1971-72 season the team appeared in the school’s first NCAA Tournament.

Till this day, Nash holds the school record for most rebounds in a game (30 vs. Arizona State, Dec. 30, 1971) and his 361 rebounds during the 1971-72 season continues to stand as the school’s single-season record. During his career, Nash averaged a school-best 13.6 rebounds per game and ranks seventh in scoring average (16.8 points per game).

During that remarkable 1971-72 season, Nash was named to numerous All-America teams. He was a third team pick by The Sporting News and an honorable mention selection by United Press International, Associated Press, and Universal Sports. In addition, Nash was named to the UPI’s All-Coast honorable mention team for the second consecutive year, the first team All-West team, and the All-Aloha Classic, in which he was named Most Valuable Player. Nash also shared the team’s Art Woolaway Outstanding Player Award with Jerome Freeman.

Following his career, Nash was selected No. 7 overall, by the Detroit Pistons in the 1972 NBA Draft. He would go on to play 71 games for Detroit from 1972-74 before joining the San Diego Conquistadors of the ABA for 17 games during the 1974-75 season. Nash continued his professional career overseas in Sweden for two years before returning to the NBA with the Kansas City Kings (now the Sacramento Kings) in 1977. He played a combined 148 games in two years.

Nash returned to UH after his playing days were over to complete his bachelor’s degree. In 1984 he earned his B.A. in education while also serving as a part-time assistant coach for two seasons.

Nash was a 1968 graduate of Hartford Public High School in Connecticut, where he was a prep All-American. He went on to San Jacinto Junior College in Houston, for two years and in 1970 was selected as a second team All-American after averaging more than 22 points and 18 rebounds per game.

Nash is married to the former Domelynne Lum. They have two children, Erika and Bob III, who is a standout player at Iolani School.