Isaac Fotu is good for at least one more go-around.
The Hawaii sophomore forward made it clear on Monday he intends to return for his junior season coming off a campaign in which he was honored as a Big West All-Conference player, and put off his dream of playing professionally for now.
No small part of his decision was how the 2013-14 season ended: a bitter defeat to Cal State Northridge in the quarterfinals of the Big West tournament, which ended the Rainbow Warriors’ season at 20-11.
"I think I realized what our team can do. And the disappointment of not doing it (last year), that just makes me want to work harder," Fotu said. "I know this next year’s team is going to do big things, so I want to be part of it and I want to make history for this school and this state."
Fotu said he’s already turned down a renewed (and increased) offer to play as a pro for his hometown club, the New Zealand Breakers, who made a run at him last summer and nearly succeeded in luring him away at that time.
Previously, Fotu announced his intentions to return to UH on his Twitter account. He stayed the course Monday when asked about the NCAA’s ongoing investigation of the UH men’s program and its possible fallout. The investigation is said to be centered on UH assistant coach Brandyn Akana altering a document needed to admit a player into the UH system.
"I think my decision’s to stay," Fotu replied. "I think it would have to be pretty major (repercussions) for me to reconsider and do something else. But as I said I think my decision right now is to stay and play for the university and get my degree."
The 6-foot-8 Fotu averaged 14.9 points on 58.4 percent shooting, with 6.1 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game. He was the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder behind outgoing senior forward Christian Standhardinger, another all-conference selection.
"Isaac has been a huge reason for the success of our program and instrumental in this year’s 20-win season," UH coach Gib Arnold said. "He continues to improve and grow as a player and person. I believe he is a special player and when his college career is through will have many outstanding offers to play professionally. His humility, dedication to working on his game and academics and his commitment to the University of Hawaii is the perfect example of how a student-athlete should approach the privilege of representing Hawaii as a Rainbow Warrior."
Fotu, a member of the New Zealand national team before enrolling at UH in 2012, will attempt to make his country’s roster again upon his return home this summer. If he makes the team, he will try to help the "Tall Blacks" qualify for the FIBA World Championships in pool play in August, and if successful, advance to the final rounds in Spain in September.
McMillian exploring options
UH director of basketball operations Chris McMillian is in the process of exploring his options to become a full-time assistant at another Division I school.
McMillian, a former point guard at Wyoming, came to UH as a strength coach for Arnold after Arnold’s hire in 2010. He spent two years in that capacity, then became director of operations for the past two years, handling many of the program’s behind-the-scenes and day-to-day responsibilities. But the operations job does not allow for on-court coaching or recruiting, something McMillian desires to do. He plans to be around through the team’s basketball clinics for children in June, and left open the possibility of a return.
"I’ve been doing this five years now and in order to keep moving up, you’ve got to prove that you can recruit and I want to try to go out there and get a shot to recruit," McMillian said. "That’s it."
