Go pro or stay in school? Hawaii center Vander Joaquim wasn’t totally decided.

A continent away, the sight of a familiar face sealed the deal.

Third-year Hawaii coach Gib Arnold paid a visit to his top player at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Caracas, Venezuela, in early July, helping convince the Angolan big man that a pro contract could wait.

"It means a lot; it means a lot to me. It’s just good to see the coach come all the way, travel so many hours all the way to see me," Joaquim said. "I was happy, pleased. That’s why I came back, one of the reasons. It helped my decision in coming back. He told me a lot of good things. So (I said) yeah, why not."

Now Joaquim, fresh off a preseason right MCL tear, has worked his way back for a third and final year with the Rainbow Warriors.

Despite an uncertain start to the season — he’s anywhere from doubtful to probable for Friday’s regular-season opener vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore, depending on whom you ask — Joaquim enters the season tagged as the top post player in the Big West Conference.

As a junior, he averaged 14.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 56 percent shooting from the field en route to first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors.

Joaquim, confident in his post game, focused on stepping out to work on his shooting in the offseason. He’s had extra time to hone his shot on the side of organized practices as he missed the bulk of them since his injury during a team workout in late September.

"The top-of-the-key 3-pointer," Joaquim said of his new arsenal. "I improved a lot on my free throws and my left hand. So I’ll probably use both hands more. Show the midrange and outside (shot)."

Joaquim has declared himself healthy and ready to play, though Arnold said this week he planned to be cautious with his prized center’s return. He’s coming off the first major injury of his career, albeit one that did not require surgery on his knee. For that, Joaquim is grateful.

"I was sad for a minute (when I went down). Right now I’m back, so that’s the most important thing," he said. "You know, I’m back now, so I’m not looking to get hurt again. That’s my goal. … I already forgot what happened. I’m glad it’s the future now."