Warrior Insider

A roster subtraction hit the University of Hawai’i basketball team on Monday, and it had nothing to do with COVID.

Manel Ayol, a 6-foot-7 junior forward in his first season with the Rainbow Warriors, announced on Monday that he is leaving the program. Ayol said via social media that he is entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

“I would like to thank Hawaii and the coaching staff for the opportunity they have given me here, but after much prayer and talking with my family, I will be entering the transfer portal,” he wrote.

Ayol appeared in just two games this season, and received the fewest minutes among the 14 active players. He played a total of four minutes, registering two points and one rebound in UH’s win over Hawai’i-Hilo on December 19.

Ayol is from Melbourne, Australia, but was recruited to UH out of Western Wyoming College. He was the Region IX Player of the Year as a sophomore at Western Wyoming after averaging 16.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.