Tokoro skipping season at CSLA
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Former Iolani all-state guard Monica Tokoro is not playing college basketball this season, opting not to rejoin Cal State-Los Angeles, where she earned All-America honors.
"I just didn't want to, I guess," Tokoro said yesterday. "There's been a lot of drama at my school since I've been a freshman and I wanted to transfer.
Tokoro
"I don't mind playing this year, I just don't want to play for my school."
Tokoro, the school's career leader in points (1,551) and assists (450), said the reason she decided not to transfer is because she is graduating in June with a degree in criminal justice.
"It's the only reason I'm up here," the three-time all-California Collegiate Athletic Association first-team selection said. "If I do end up playing (again), it isn't going to be at my school. I'm about to graduate anyways, so I just might play overseas somewhere."
Tokoro, who was a second-team Daktronics All-American as a sophomore, still has one year of eligibility remaining, and can still play for a school as a graduate student.
Tokoro declined to specify what she meant by "drama" at CSLA, but said: "I'm going to hopefully play next year. I don't know where; I have no idea."
The 2001 Iolani graduate from 'Aiea said part of the reason she decided not to play was because several of her teammates and assistant coaches left. Only two players returned for this season.
"I tried to talk to them about redshirting and maybe play next year, but they were mad at me," Tokoro said of the current coaching staff.
"It's kind of weird, for the first time I have a month off for Christmas break," said Tokoro, who is still playing pick-up basketball and working out.
When asked if she would consider playing for the University of Hawai'i next season, Tokoro replied, "Of course I would."
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
