Wiseman decides to transfer closer to home

Following a recent trend, Trevor Wiseman hustled his way right out of Manoa.

On Friday, the sophomore forward became the third Rainbows basketball player to leave the program prematurely this spring. Wiseman, citing a desire to be closer to home in California, will transfer to another program somewhere in the Golden State.

Though not flashy or renowned in any particular offensive area, Wiseman was respected for his grit and all-around contributions as a regular rotation player for UH coach Gib Arnold.

The 6-foot-7, 210-pound "Hustle King" requested and was granted his release from UH on Thursday, Wiseman confirmed.

"I just wanted to go back home," Wiseman said in a phone interview. "I really like Hawaii. I consider Hawaii a second home. I met a lot of people here. I love Hawaii, you know? I appreciate everything everyone did for me, but I just think I should go elsewhere."

Wiseman started 25 of his 61 career games played at UH, averaging 5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds with 45 steals over that span. He averaged 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in his second year.

"Trevor Wiseman affects winning," Arnold was fond of saying to describe the Golden Valley High (Calif.) product.

Only junior center Vander Joaquim and sophomore center Davis Rozitis remain from Arnold’s heralded nine-man inaugural recruiting class of 2010. Forward Joston Thomas (turning pro) and point guard Bobby Miles (transferring) were the other early departures this spring. Wiseman was Arnold’s first known commit.

"I am grateful for the two years Trevor gave us," Arnold said in a UH release. "I thought his hustle was contagious and helped us in many games. I am most proud of his accomplishments in the classroom. After struggling his first semester he was able to turn that around and become a fine student. I hope Trevor can find a program where he can be a starter as he desires. We all wish him the best."

Wiseman butted heads with Arnold about playing time at San Jose State on Feb. 4, resulting in a one-game suspension. But he returned against Fresno State on Feb. 11, and was instrumental in the home win against the Bulldogs.

"At that time I was thinking of going as far as possible with the team for the season," Wiseman said. "We made it to the second game in the (WAC) tournament, I was really looking forward to the third game. But that didn’t happen. I didn’t think about it (leaving) at that time, until after. I was focused on winning."