Shaquille Stokes might yet live up to his considerable hype as the one-time New York City Player of the Year. He’ll just be doing it elsewhere.
The freshman point guard became the fourth player this spring to leave the Hawaii men’s basketball program prematurely, announcing on Thursday his intentions to transfer to a school closer to home on the East Coast.
Shaquille Stokes:
Will transfer to
a school closer to home
"My grandma being sick … I’m going closer to home to be able to see my family whenever I can," Stokes said. "That’s really about it."
Stokes, who averaged 8.4 points and 2.2 assists in 30 games, was asked if it was purely a matter of distance.
"A lot of things worked out for me (here), but it’s something that me and my parents spoke (about). … It was a family decision," he replied. "It has nothing to do with the coaches; it’s been great here with the coaching staff. It has to do with my family."
The 5-foot-10 Stokes arrived last summer with a high pedigree from Lincoln High in Brooklyn, and had moments when he looked poised to deliver on his promise, including during the "Warriors to Asia" tour last August, when he led UH in scoring.
But he struggled through much of the season, shooting 33.2 percent from the field with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.2. He was a starter early in the season, then gave way to Miah Ostrowski once the incumbent returned from football.
Despite those struggles, Stokes capped off the year strong in the WAC tournament, melding his talents with Ostrowski’s to put up 38 points in two games. On the way back from the tourney, he spoke enthusiastically about his future with the team.
That was a big reason why, unlike previous spring departures Joston Thomas (turning pro), Bobby Miles (transferring) and Trevor Wiseman (transferring), Stokes’ decision caught many off guard. Stokes would have been a strong candidate to start in the backcourt in 2012-13.
"I really appreciate what Shaq has given us this year," UH coach Gib Arnold said. "I know that as a freshman, at times it was hard on him when he struggled and lost his starting position to Miah, but I thought he did a fine job of getting through that and ended the season on a high note. I was grateful for his effort. I believe
wherever he goes to play, he will be an asset to any program, and that his best basketball is still ahead of him. I wish him the best."
The news broke on Twitter the day after Arnold, at the team’s postseason banquet, credited the freshman for sticking through an overall rough first year and closing it out strong.
"I spoke to the coaches (Wednesday) about it. I went to the banquet for the fans," Stokes said. "I still love UH; it’s been great. Great time, great fans, great atmosphere."
