By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Under the weight of NCAA sanctions, including no postseason appearance next year, key pieces of the University of Hawaii’s history-making basketball team are thanking fans and heading out the door.
UH junior guard Aaron Valdes announced in a statement Thursday that he’ll forgo his final year of eligibility to turn pro.
“After taking the last few weeks to weigh my options for the future, I have finally made one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Valdes said. “Please know this was not an easy decision and it required much prayer and consideration. That being said, I have decided to forgo my final year of eligibility at the University of Hawaii and explore my professional options as a basketball player.
“These past four years in Hawaii have been some of the best and most memorable, and I will never forget the moments we’ve shared together. It has been an honor and a privilege to represent such a great state and such great people. Please know that wherever my future leads, I will always carry Hawaii with me.”
UH coach Eran Ganot also hit on the Hawaii-is-home theme while highlighting the former walk-on’s contributions.
“We want to thank AV for all his efforts and contributions to our program, to this university and this state,” Ganot said. “AV is an inspiring story as someone who put in a lot of work to take both his individual game and our program to new heights.
“Additionally, he has been tremendous in the community. He made great strides on the court each season and I know that will continue in his professional career. We will follow from afar, and we know Hawaii will always be home for him.”
Valdes is the second Rainbow Warrior underclassman to depart the program joining junior forward Stefan Jankovic, who also decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to turn pro.
UH recorded the most wins in school history (28) and beat California in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the program’s first-ever victory.
Valdes was UH’s second-leading scorer (14.1 ppg) and ranked third in rebounding (5.5 rpg), assists (72), and steals (35).
The 6-foot-5 guard was selected as the Big West Conference Tournament’s MVP after averaging 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game in three wins and was also picked second-team all-conference.
Neither Valdes nor Jankovic, a 6-11 forward, are mentioned in any NBA mock draft. The NBA draft will be held June 23.
Jankovic, who was born in Belgrade, Serbia, has a shot of landing a deal to play pro ball somewhere in Europe.
In his farewell, Jankovic also bid a fond farewell to the UH faithful.
“I would like to thank the state of Hawai’i for all the great memories but I feel the time is right for me to declare for the draft and I’m in the process of hiring an agent,” Jankovic said. “After the great season I experienced with my coaches and teammates, I discussed this decision with my family and we felt it was best for me to begin my professional career. I will always call Hawaii home, and this place gave me a second chance after I transferred from Missouri.
“I would like to thank my coaches for always pushing me, my teammates for the great season we had, and to all of the fans for their support during this truly amazing year. In my two years at Hawaii, I’ve had some of the best times of my life, and Hawaii will always have a special place in my heart. Aloha and mahalo.”
Mike Thomas, a 6-7 forward, is the last UH starting junior eligible to transfer to another school without sitting out a year.
The Rainbow Warriors also lose two other starters in point guard Roderick Bobbitt and guard Quincy Smith, ushering in a much different look for Ganot next season.
