The last domino fell on Wednesday, leaving little more than a cloud of dust in the air and a stray statistic on the board.

Forward Mike Thomas became the final prominent Hawaii basketball player to bow out for the 2016-17 season, as UH announced the forward will redshirt the coming months as he recovers from wrist surgery.

Thus, for the first time in four decades, the Rainbow Warriors head into a season with no returning starters. Not since the late Larry Little took over a reeling program beset by NCAA penalties has UH been in that situation.

Little’s ‘Bows went 9-18 in that 1976-77 season, and 1-26 the next before clawing their way to a winning record three years later.

Second-year coach Eran Ganot now faces his own challenges wrangling wins out of a to-be-announced schedule.

UH has 66 points of production coming back from its banner 28-6 team. Not per game; for the entire season. Guards Sheriff Drammeh (1.7 ppg), Zach Buscher (0.6) and Brocke Stepteau (0.2) are all that’s left.

UH has dealt with several early player departures as it faces — pending an unresolved appeal — an NCAA postseason ban for the coming year. Thomas, a 6-foot-7 senior captain, was to be the team’s only veteran on the floor.

Thomas’ decision gives him a chance at a complete season and postseason in 2017-18. He’s looking at a recovery timetable of four to six months; to be credited with a redshirt he is unable to play in games even were he to recover by midseason.

“While I’m disappointed I won’t be playing this year, I’m excited about this year’s team and look forward to supporting my teammates in every way I can,” Thomas said in a UH release. “We have a lot of newcomers and they know they can count on me to be there for them. My goal is to work hard, attack rehab and return to the court at full strength next season.”

He wasn’t made available for further comment by UH.

Thomas averaged 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds as a junior. He was the team’s most effective offensive rebounder and most versatile defender, as well as a locker room leader who garnered the nickname “The Rock” for his steadiness. He was one of two players to start all 34 games for the team that notched the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory.

“Mike embodies all the qualities you look for in a student-athlete and he’s been a terrific ambassador for our program and the University,” Ganot said in UH’s release. “He’ll tackle this setback with the same focus and determination that makes him such a special person. Though we’ll miss Mike’s production on the court this year, his presence will continue to be invaluable for our program moving forward.”

Ganot couldn’t be reached for further comment Wednesday.

Thomas suffered the sprain to his right (non-shooting) wrist while playing in the Hawaii College Basketball League in Manoa last month. The severity of the injury was not immediately apparent and was only revealed recently.

Sources said Thomas was considering a redshirt even prior to getting hurt, in order to get one last shot at the postseason the following year. However, that was rendered moot.

“He’s a great leader and will continue to lead us from the sideline,” said 6-foot-8 forward Gibson Johnson, one of a handful of ‘Bows who will be tasked with holding the line up front.

There’s also 6-9 Jack Purchase, who redshirted last year as a transfer from Auburn. UH’s other options are 6-5 walk-on Darryl Matthews, 6-7 small forward Noah Allen and 6-7 forward Zigmars Raimo.

The Rainbows have so far added nine newcomers to the roster, including seven scholarship players. Factoring in the NCAA’s two-scholarship penalty, UH has one more full ride it can award before the start of school Aug. 22.

Taylor joins Bakersfield

Former Hawaii coach Benjy Taylor has joined Rod Barnes’ staff at Cal State Bakersfield, the Roadrunners announced on Tuesday.

Taylor served a half-season stint at Southeast Missouri State in 2015-16. Bakersfield won the WAC tournament and made the NCAAs last season.

“I am excited to coach with Coach Barnes and become a member of the Roadrunner family,” Taylor said in a CSUB release. “Coach Barnes is one of the best coaches in the business and one of the best people I know.”

Cornelissen leaves UH

Ganot confirmed that Australian walk-on guard Jakob Cornelissen is not returning to UH.

Cornelissen went scoreless in five reserve appearances as a true freshman. He was inactive during the team’s run to the postseason.