Men's Basketball Signs Three Newcomers
November 15, 2018 | Men's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's basketball head coach Russell Turner announced the signing of three student-athletes.
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Isaiah Lee
6-2/190/Point Guard/Sydney, Australia/Basketball Australia - Centre of Excellenceย
Lee plays for U19 Australian basketball national team where he helped his team win the 2018 Asia Cup gold medal and qualify for the 2019ย World Championships. He played for Australia's U18 World Cup team and the Oceania Cup gold medal team in 2017. Lee was a team captain of the U18 State Team where his team won the bronze medal at the U18 Men's National Championships. At the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, he helped the team win silver at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament (AST).ย
Lee attended the MBA Academy Camp in Italy and was named the New South Wales State Player of the Year. He is the son of former Anteater basketball alum Jerome Lee (1983-85).ย
Head coach Russell Turner remarked, "Isaiah comes to UCI as a legacy, and brings outstanding international experience as a member of Australia's national team.ย He is a proven winner who makes everyone around him better.ย He is physically ready to contribute and we expect him to make an early impact at UCI."
Coach Adam Caporn at the Basketball Centre of Excellence said, "Isaiah Lee has worked very hard to achieve this goal and we are very happy to see him follow in his father's footsteps and join UC Irvine. He brings great effort and a fantastic upbeat attitude every day. He is still only scratching the surface of his potential and I am sure he will a great representative of the university as he is our program here at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence."
Justin Hohn
6-1/175/Guard/Sioux Falls, South Dakota/Tea HS
Hohnย comes to UC Irvine from Tea High School in Sioux Falls. Last season, he set school records in steals with 79 (3.2 spg) and assists with 156 (6.2 apg). He totaled 107 rebounds (4.3 rpg) and averaged 11 points per game. Hohn led the team in blocked shots with 27. He was named to the Class A All-Tournament Team and named Third Team DAK XII All-Conference. Hohnย earnedย Titan Defensive Player of the Year honors as a team captain.
"Justin caught our eye earlier this year because of his basketball brain and his developing physical talent.ย He's our first recruit from South Dakota and I'm excited that he has led his high school teams to State Championships in both basketball and soccer.ย He is a winning player and a proven leader. He has terrific defensive instincts and makes his teammates better with his creativity and his unselfishness." said Turner.
He is coached by Chris Fechner at Teas HS. "The thing that sets Justin apart from other players is his basketball IQ and leadership skills. It's not often that your point guard leads the team in blocked shots, is second in rebounds and dishes six assists per game.ย He is a very good defender, often being asked to guard the other team's best perimeter player.ย He will do the little things that might not show up in a stat book, but you certainly knew he was there."
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Hayden Welling
6-9/200/Forward/Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon HS
Welling hails from Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah. Following graduation, he will embark on a two-year Mormon mission trip and enroll at UC Irvine in 2021.
As a junior, Welling averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game. He helped his high school team advance to the State Tournament finals averaging 16.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg.ย ย
Turner said,ย "Hayden is an athletic, young big man with talent and exceptional potential.ย Our staff identified him as another player with great character and drive to improve and I know his future is bright.ย He plans to take a Mormon mission and enroll in 2021, and I am excited about his commitment."
Welling is coached by Dan Lundt at Canyon HS. "Hayden is an outstanding player who has continued to get better each year.ย Has been a big part of Corner Canyon playing in the 5A semifinals in 2017, finals in 2018 and is looking to push to get back to the finals in 2019".
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| Student-Athlete | Ht / Wt | Position | Hometown | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Lee | 6-2 / 190 | Point Guard | Sydney, Australiaย | Basketball Australia - Centre of Excellence |
| Justin Hohnย | 6-1 / 175 | Guard | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Tea HS |
| Hayden Welling | 6-9 / 200 | Forward | Draper, Utah | Corner Canyon HS |
Isaiah Lee
6-2/190/Point Guard/Sydney, Australia/Basketball Australia - Centre of Excellenceย
Lee plays for U19 Australian basketball national team where he helped his team win the 2018 Asia Cup gold medal and qualify for the 2019ย World Championships. He played for Australia's U18 World Cup team and the Oceania Cup gold medal team in 2017. Lee was a team captain of the U18 State Team where his team won the bronze medal at the U18 Men's National Championships. At the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, he helped the team win silver at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament (AST).ย
Lee attended the MBA Academy Camp in Italy and was named the New South Wales State Player of the Year. He is the son of former Anteater basketball alum Jerome Lee (1983-85).ย
Head coach Russell Turner remarked, "Isaiah comes to UCI as a legacy, and brings outstanding international experience as a member of Australia's national team.ย He is a proven winner who makes everyone around him better.ย He is physically ready to contribute and we expect him to make an early impact at UCI."
Coach Adam Caporn at the Basketball Centre of Excellence said, "Isaiah Lee has worked very hard to achieve this goal and we are very happy to see him follow in his father's footsteps and join UC Irvine. He brings great effort and a fantastic upbeat attitude every day. He is still only scratching the surface of his potential and I am sure he will a great representative of the university as he is our program here at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence."
Justin Hohn
6-1/175/Guard/Sioux Falls, South Dakota/Tea HS
Hohnย comes to UC Irvine from Tea High School in Sioux Falls. Last season, he set school records in steals with 79 (3.2 spg) and assists with 156 (6.2 apg). He totaled 107 rebounds (4.3 rpg) and averaged 11 points per game. Hohn led the team in blocked shots with 27. He was named to the Class A All-Tournament Team and named Third Team DAK XII All-Conference. Hohnย earnedย Titan Defensive Player of the Year honors as a team captain.
"Justin caught our eye earlier this year because of his basketball brain and his developing physical talent.ย He's our first recruit from South Dakota and I'm excited that he has led his high school teams to State Championships in both basketball and soccer.ย He is a winning player and a proven leader. He has terrific defensive instincts and makes his teammates better with his creativity and his unselfishness." said Turner.
He is coached by Chris Fechner at Teas HS. "The thing that sets Justin apart from other players is his basketball IQ and leadership skills. It's not often that your point guard leads the team in blocked shots, is second in rebounds and dishes six assists per game.ย He is a very good defender, often being asked to guard the other team's best perimeter player.ย He will do the little things that might not show up in a stat book, but you certainly knew he was there."
ย
Hayden Welling
6-9/200/Forward/Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon HS
Welling hails from Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah. Following graduation, he will embark on a two-year Mormon mission trip and enroll at UC Irvine in 2021.
As a junior, Welling averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game. He helped his high school team advance to the State Tournament finals averaging 16.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg.ย ย
Turner said,ย "Hayden is an athletic, young big man with talent and exceptional potential.ย Our staff identified him as another player with great character and drive to improve and I know his future is bright.ย He plans to take a Mormon mission and enroll in 2021, and I am excited about his commitment."
Welling is coached by Dan Lundt at Canyon HS. "Hayden is an outstanding player who has continued to get better each year.ย Has been a big part of Corner Canyon playing in the 5A semifinals in 2017, finals in 2018 and is looking to push to get back to the finals in 2019".
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