Report: Hawaii F Isaac Finlinson intends to enter transfer portal

by | Mar 27, 2026

Hawaii F Ike Finlinson dribbles around a screen during a home game against UC Santa Barbara. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

HONOLULU – Winds of change keep blowing into the islands.

Hawaii forward Isaac Finlinson will enter the transfer portal when it opens on April 7, his agent Daniel Poneman told ESPN’s Jeff Borzello on Friday morning.

The 6-foot-8 sharpshooter appeared in 33 games (16 starts) in 2025-26 for the Rainbow Warriors, knocking down 39.1% of his 3-point attempts while averaging 9.2 points and 3.6 rebounds while helping Hawai’i to the Big West Championship crown and a first round NCAA Tournament appearance.

After beginning the season in a reserve role, Finlinson was inserted into the starting lineup after sophomore Aaron Hunkin-Claytor went down in the middle of January with an injury. The forward from St. George, Utah, saw an uptick in time and opportunity after the role change, scoring 11.2 points and grabbing 4.4 rebounds in just over 30 minutes of action per game.

Hunkin-Claytor also reportedly intends to enter his name into the market when the transfer portal opens on April 7. Returns to Hawai’i for both players have not been ruled out from either camp or the program.

Finlinson joined Hawai’i last spring after earning JUCO National Player of the Year honors in his second season with Snow College (UT). The forward led the Badgers in scoring with 18.7 points per game in a 32-2 campaign that saw Snow reach the top of the NJCAA Division I rankings.

Hawai’i will join the Mountain West next season, taking a step up in competition after earning the lone conference bid to the NCAA Tournament in the program’s final year in the Big West. The Rainbow Warriors graduated six seniors and only have one player (Scotty Belnap) currently part of the 2026 recruiting class.

Hawai’i F Ike Finlinson drives during a home game. | Photo credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Isaiah Kerr, AJ Economou, Hunter Carter and Tanner Cuff are the lone returners to not announce or have intentions leaked regarding plans for next season. Cuff is recovering from a season-ending knee injury and has maintained his interest in suiting up for the Rainbow Warriors next year after the graduation of his fellow Beehive State teammates Isaac Johnson and Hunter Erickson.

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