The need for point guards for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team became greater last night.

Todd Lowenthal, a touted point guard recruit in 2006, said he will not return to play for the Rainbow Warriors.

"It was a tough decision," he said. "But I felt like I wasted a year basketball-wise, and I had to make a decision based on that."

Lowenthal scored just one point all of last season as a true freshman. He appeared in 15 games, playing a total of 36 minutes.

Bob Nash was named the new head coach for the 'Bows on April 13, but Lowenthal said he wanted to "start over" with a different program.

"I like Coach Nash, but I want to start over while I still have a chance to play," he said. "I didn't want to take a chance of just sitting again."

Lowenthal did receive the team's Academic Award after achieving a 4.0 grade point average last season.

He said he is in the process of selecting another school.

"I played with some great guys, and I made a lot of friends in Hawai'i," Lowenthal said. "That's the part I'm going to miss the most."

Lowenthal is the second point guard to leave the 'Bows in the past month. Junior-to-be Dominic Waters is transferring to Portland State.

Yesterday was the last day for new recruits to sign binding national letters of intent.

Nash has yet to announce any signings, but apparently some are on the way. He said he would make an announcement as soon as the paper work on the new recruits is processed, perhaps by tomorrow.

With the loss of Lowenthal, the 'Bows have five scholarships to fill for the 2007-08 season.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.