UH’s Fleming says if Taylor leaves, he will too

In the wake of Hawaii basketball coach Gib Arnold’s dismissal on Tuesday, Rainbow Warrior freshman Isaac Fleming said his commitment to the program remains steadfast.

Fleming was also firm in saying if acting coach Benjy Taylor were to be replaced as well, he would look elsewhere.

Asked before Thursday’s practice at the Stan Sheriff Center if he would stay if another coach were brought in, Fleming responded, "No. I would leave."

"It’s pretty clear he should be here for the remainder of the year," Fleming said. "He’s the guy that we trust."

In a press conference on Wednesday, Taylor, who was promoted from associate coach to acting head coach, mentioned Fleming, a 6-foot-3 guard, as a player other schools were targeting following Tuesday’s announcement that Arnold and assistant coach Brandyn Akana had been fired.

Fleming declined to comment on whether he’d been approached by other programs and said his focus is on preparing for the coming season with the Rainbows.

"I’m not thinking about that, I’m not worried about that," he said. "I’m worried about what’s going on right now, the group of guys that I’m playing with and getting the job done this year.

"We’re brothers; things like this happen all the time. Adversity comes. Either we’re going to overcome it or we’re going to let it suck us in."

UH senior Garrett Nevels likewise said he was looking ahead to the season and that the players "built a relationship with (Taylor)."

"To bring another person in, that would be tough," Nevels said. " At the end of the day I’m here to play for the University of Hawaii. Whoever the coach is, I’m going to do my job."