Iwalani Rodrigues, an Advertiser All-State Girls Basketball first-team selection who will be one of Hawai'i's top college prospects this coming season, has transferred from Roosevelt High School to Kalani for her senior year, The Advertiser has learned.

According to Punahou coach Mike Taylor, who coached Rodrigues on a Kalakaua Foundation team that recently returned from competing in two Mainland tournaments, Rodrigues registered at Kalani on Wednesday for the fall semester.

"She told me yesterday that they made the change," Taylor said last night. "I don't think it was a basketball decision. It might have been more (about) academics."

Rodrigues could not be reached for comment.

Roosevelt coach Bobby Keanini declined to comment on the record about the transfer, and Kalani coach George Weeks also declined comment.

Rodrigues, a 5-foot-9 guard, averaged 16.3 points per game this past season in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association and was named Eastern Division Player of the Year after leading the Rough Riders to their second straight league championship.

At the prestigious Oregon "End of the Trail" tournament two weeks ago, Rodrigues was named to the All-Tournament team and has attracted widespread interest from NCAA Division I college recruiters, according to Taylor.

"Utah is really interested, and so is Cal and Hawai'i," Taylor said. "Coaches like her athleticism and her length, and the way she plays hard on both ends of the court. And they know she can shoot. She opened a lot of eyes; she's solidified her future and she'll be getting a lot of offers."

Kalani defeated Roosevelt in the state tournament fifth-place game, but has since gone through a coaching change, with Weeks replacing Darold Imanaka last month.

Roosevelt graduated only one senior from last season. Kalani graduated eight seniors but returns two 5-11 posts, Rhianna Farm and Violet Alama, and also shooting guard Chloe Martin. All three saw significant playing time last season.

"With Iwa, you're talking about one of the top players in the state, so she would make anyone a contender," Taylor said.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.