ORONO, Maine — Issac Vann epitomized the term “impact freshman” for the University of Maine’s men’s basketball program this season. But it will be his last in Orono.
Head coach Bob Walsh announced Wednesday that Vann, his leading scorer and a member of the America East All-Rookie team, has been granted his request to transfer.
“He told me he kind of surprised himself that he was as productive as he was,” Walsh said on Wednesday at Memorial Gym. “He expressed an interest in playing at a higher level.”
Vann, a 6-foot-7 wing from Bridgeport, Connecticut, averaged a team-best 16.4 points along with 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals. His 15.8 points per game in conference contests was sixth best in the league.
Vann shot 46 percent from the field, including a team-high 41 percent from the 3-point line, and converted 78 percent of his free throws while averaging 28.3 minutes per game. Vann played in 17 of 30 games for 8-22 UMaine, missing several as the result of an ankle injury.
According to NCAA rules, Vann will have to sit out a year if he transfers to another Division I school. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Walsh said they had several “direct, honest conversations” after the season about his future.
“We talked about what was in his best interest,” said Walsh. “He had a desire to prove himself at a higher level. He is confident in his ability to play at a higher level. I asked him to think about it some more.
“A decision like this has a very serious impact on our program and on his life. We came to an understanding that it was in his best interest to be able to pursue those opportunities so I granted him his release so he could do so,” Walsh added.
Walsh said he doesn’t feel betrayed by Vann.
“He gave us more than we asked for this year,” said Walsh. “But it definitely hurts. He’s a terrific talent, a real good teammate and a great student. He’s everything we wanted here. He was part of a recruiting class that we’re building this program around.”
Vann provided his thoughts in a press release.
“I’ve decided it is in my best interest to transfer from the University of Maine. I feel I am capable of competing at a higher level and am excited to test my abilities. It is difficult to leave my teammates at UMaine and I’ll always appreciate my time with the Black Bears. I am grateful to the University of Maine, and to coach Walsh and his staff, for the opportunity they provided me. They made me a better player and helped me mature as a person and a student throughout my first year of college.”
At this time, Vann is unsure of his destination.
Walsh said the loss of Vann will have a significant impact, but UMaine will use his scholarship to bring in another player.
“We have time to recruit and we still have some scholarships available. We’ll get some good players in here,” Walsh said.
“We’re in good shape. We’re excited about next year with the talent we have and with the players coming in. We also have kids who practiced with us this year and who will become eligible next year,” the second-year coach said, referring to Wesley Myers, Vincent Eze and walk-on Dennis Ashley.
He said the team’s morale is OK.
“The guys are a little bit confused and a little bit hurt,” Walsh said. “Issac was a good teammate and a great player. It’s certainly hard. When you invest as much time and energy as we do into being a team, it’s disappointing. But we’re resilient, we’re tough, we’re Black Bears and we’ll get through it,” said Walsh.
There has also been speculation, arising from posts on Twitter, that freshman guard Lavar Harewood intends to transfer.
Harewood, from Brooklyn, New York, averaged 5.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game.
“Lavar, his family and I have had a lot of discussions about his future and what’s best for him. Those discussions are still ongoing,” said Walsh.