Another UH men’s basketball player has left the University of Hawaii men’s basketball program. Today, Point Guard Shaquille Stokes announced that he was indeed leaving the program, making him the fourth player to leave the UH program within the last couple of months. Joston Thomas, Bobby Miles and Trevor Wiseman have all left the UH program early for different reasons.
This is somewhat alarming however. Since this is the fourth player to leave the program i such a short period of time. It is not like Hawaii is losing lottery picks to the NBA. None of these guys — except for maybe Joston Thomas, has a chance to play professionally, so them leaving is very alarming. It has been somewhat of an exodus from the UH men’s basketball team these past couple of months. It seems one player after another is leaving. Who will be next? Is the problem internal or is this simply a coincidence?
“Just to be closer to home, to see my family whenever I can,” Stokes said, adding his grandmother was ill. “That’s really about it.”
Stokes, out of Lincoln High, was the 2011 New York City Player of the Year by at least one publication. But he struggled for much of his freshman year, then closed strong in two games in the Western Athletic Conference tournament.
There was no indication of the move the night before, at the team’s postseason banquet. Coach Gib Arnold sang Stokes’ praises for sticking through a rough stretch of the season.
“I spoke to the coaches yesterday about it,” Stokes said. “I went to the banquet just for the fans. I still love UH, it’s been great. Had a great time here, great fans, great atmosphere. Coming from the East Coast, I enjoyed it a lot.”
The University of Hawaii men’s basketball program seems to be losing most of its players this offseason. As of right now there are no reports of this being a Gib Arnold problem. Hopefully its not, as UH has already given him a huge raise in salary. Was the raise to soon? maybe, but that is a different story.
UH better pick up some new players quick!
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