The Hawaii Pacific University men's basketball team has made a major splash in the offseason, securing two NCAA Division I transfers from the Big Sky Conference. Joining the Sharks for the 2025-26 season are guards Quentin Meza (Idaho State/Wofford) and Nemanja Sarenac (Weber State). With both players bringing high-level experience and skill to the backcourt, HPU adds depth, versatility, and offensive firepower to an already promising roster.

Quentin Meza: Utah's Mr. Basketball Brings Talent and Toughness to the Islands
A 6-foot guard from West Valley City, Utah, Quentin Meza arrives at HPU after stints at Idaho State and Wofford. He comes to the program with two years of eligibility remaining. At Wofford in 2023-24, Meza appeared in 32 games and averaged 4.2 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 38.7% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. He then spent the 2024-25 season at Idaho State, where he played in 21 games, posting a 31-to-10 assist-to-turnover ratio and had 5 games with 4 or more assists.

Meza's impressive prep career at Cyprus High School in Utah included surpassing 2,000 career points (2,123 – fourth all-time in state history) and recording 603 career assists (third all-time). He was a four-time All-Region honoree and earned back-to-back First Team All-State honors as a junior and senior. In 2023, Meza was named Utah's Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 24.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
A proven leader with strong court vision and a history of winning, Meza brings maturity, playmaking, and shot-making to HPU's guard rotation.
"I chose HPU because of the amazing coaches and culture," Meza said. "I'm looking forward to building relationships with my teammates and winning a lot of basketball games. I couldn't be more excited to attend HPU! Go Sharks!!"

Nemanja Sarenac: Serbian Sharpshooter with High Upside
Joining Meza in the backcourt is 6'5" guard Nemanja Sarenac, a redshirt freshman transfer from Weber State with three years of eligibility remaining. Originally from Belgrade, Serbia, Sarenac offers a combination of international polish, size, and shooting that makes him a standout addition to the Sharks' perimeter group.
In 2024-25, Sarenac played in 20 games for the Wildcats, scoring in double figures twice. He posted a career-high 17 points—draining five three-pointers—in a win over Lincoln, and followed with 11 points and three triples in a road win at Eastern Washington. He opened the season with nine points against Northwest Indian College and made multiple threes in six different games.

Sarenac finished the season with 21 made three-pointers, shooting 38.9% from deep—second-best on the Weber State roster. His ability to stretch the floor, combined with his length and high basketball IQ, makes him a valuable two-way weapon for HPU moving forward.
Before college, Sarenac spent two years at the Hoosac School in New York, where he developed his game while adjusting to the American style of play.
"I am grateful to HPU Basketball for the opportunity to join their program," Sarenac said. "I chose HPU because of their proven success with transfers and their commitment to developing leaders in the community, which is something I want to be. I'm looking forward to meeting the team and working every day to bring success and championships to HPU Basketball. I'm also looking forward to getting my degree at a great university and surrounding myself with great people.
Go Sharks!"

A Backcourt Built for the Moment
With the additions of Meza and Sarenac, the Sharks are reloading with skill, experience, and international flair. Head Coach Jesse Nakanishi continues to elevate the program's profile, landing proven Division I talent that fits HPU's culture of toughness, development, and teamwork.

"We are ecstatic of our two Big Sky additions to our program!" said Head Coach Jesse Nakanishi. "Q and Nemanja's skill sets and experiences playing on their respective Division I teams will translate into great success here. I'm certain we'll be benefitting from their best years of basketball ahead."
As HPU looks to build on its recent momentum both on the court and in the community, these new additions are set to play a major role in the program's next chapter.