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Less than three weeks after reaffirming his commitment, there's been a change in plans and Tramaine Isabell was granted a release from his letter of intent, according to Britton Ransford of WazzuWatch. The point guard out of Garfield High School tweeted the same, wishing luck to Ernie Kent and the team.
Isabell, who signed with WSU while Ken Bone was the head coach, opted to stick with WSU in late April after getting a chance to talk to Kent.
"I've decided to stick with it and play for Coach Kent," Isabell said in April. "One of my big things was I wanted to see was how hard he'd recruit me and if he really wanted me. And he recruited me hard. He showed me and my family how much... that meant a lot."
That appeared, at least on the surface, to be the end of it. Kent wanted Isabell and Isabell wanted to stay. At some point, however, things apparently changed. There could be any number of reasons that led to Isabell being released from his LOI. It could have been initiated on his end. Maybe after letting it all sink in, he decided WSU wasn't the place for him. This could have also been initiated by WSU. Kent and his staff have been aggressive in their pursuit of guards, landing Jackie Davis and Ny Redding thus far, with other potential targets yet to decide. We may never know the ultimate reasoning as WSU is highly unlikely to discuss the situation, so unless Isabell reveals more to the decision, there is only speculation.
With Isabell no longer in the fold, the Cougars are down a potential playmaker. Isabell appeared to be the playmaking point guard WSU sorely missed last season and was penciled in by some to play legitimate minutes next season. Davis and Redding have since come on board, but the rotation is still a long way from resolved.
WSU now has two scholarships to fill, should it choose to do so this offseason. It will be interesting to see where Isabell lands. When he first committed, there was talk that he'd be headed to prep school next season. Maybe that is once again an option.