The last time we saw University of Hawai'i point guard Deonte Tatum, a place was being reserved for him on the bench.

His starting job was being shopped around and readied for a new owner.

When the Rainbow Warriors' basketball season skidded to a disappointing end in March at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, head coach Riley Wallace's marching orders to his recruiter, Jackson Wheeler, went something like this: Find me a point guard. Or, two.

Wheeler brought back three: one junior college transfer and two freshmen.

But as the 'Bows debut tonight at 7 in an exhibition against UH-Hilo at the Stan Sheriff Center, guess who is still penciled in at the point?

That would be Tatum, who Wallace calls the "most pleasant surprise" of UH's monthlong preseason workouts.

While the newcomers grapple with learning UH's system and adjusting to Division I, Tatum is ... smiling. A toothpaste commercial-worthy one, too. A major departure from last year when a tightly clinched grimace in prime time was often his trademark.

"He wasn't expected to do what he is and he's proved everybody wrong — so far," Wallace said. "He's come back and been a better basketball player."

All of which the 'Bows will need at the point, which was their, well, weak point in a 16-13 finish. Eleven of those losses were by eight points or fewer and much of it attributable to the instability at the point, where the starting job got passed around as much as the ball.

Tatum, Matt Gibson and Jake Sottos all shared starting time there and none was the answer to the biggest question mark that hovered over the team after returning starter Logan Lee bolted July 28, 2004, a month before school started.

At that late date, the 'Bows were fortunate to get Tatum, a junior college transfer. But it required more than luck to pick up the offense on the fly. And, it showed. It was clear, for instance, in the tentativeness with which he handled the ball in stretch-run situations. And in the reluctance with which he took shots. He averaged 3.4 points and 1.5 assists per game.

"I was too uptight last year," Tatum acknowledged. "It wasn't natural for me. I was doing things I wasn't used to yet. It is different this year because I plan on having fun. It is my senior year and I want to go out with some fun."

The difference, he said, came down to "that little talk I had with myself. Last year I was disappointed in the outcome (of the season). And this year I wanted it to be different because it is my last season. I want it to be fun."

In his player questionaire — under something people don't know about me — Tatum wrote, "I love to smile."

If he is wearing one this year, he probably won't be alone among UH faithful.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.