Dylan Thoerner: The Return Home

Graduate transfer student-athlete Dylan Thoerner returns to his hometown to complete his collegiate eligibility. 

Thoerner, born and raised in Irvine, also has ties to the Midwest. His mom’s side of the family is from Terre Haute, Indiana and experiencing a different part of the country while visiting his family holds a special place in his heart. In conversations with Dylan about his family he states that he got the tall gene from his dad and athletic gene from his mom who was a cheerleader and gymnast at Indiana State University. Additionally, his sister competed in gymnastics at a high-level and was an elite volleyball player. Thoerner jokes that his sister “might have a higher vertical than him.”

The graduate student started his basketball career when he was just four years old. He got hooked on playing basketball after he stole the ball and dribbled down the court for a fast break layup in his first youth basketball camp. Thoerner appreciates his father for taking the time to coach his youth teams for several years and forcing him to shoot lefthanded shots despite hating it. Thoerner’s grandpa also had an influence on his basketball career as his grandpa taught him the fundamentals of the sport as well as various skills. Another influence on the transfer’s career has been attending Lakers games since he was only two months old.

Thoerner would go on to attend Beckman High School where he played on the freshman team his first year there. He had the option to play on JV but decided to stick with his original decision because of the relationship he had with his coach, Alvin Galloway, and ended up leading the young squad to become the best freshman team in Beckman history. 

The guard spent the rest of his high school career on the varsity team where he was a catalyst for the team’s steady improvement. Thoerner credits his head coach John Goins for always having faith in him. In his senior year, the team won the school’s first league championship, one of the things he is most proud of especially as the team captain. Thoerner left Beckman as the career points leader (1,652), 2019 League MVP, All-CIF Team, and 2019 Beckman Athlete of the Year.

At the end of the summer 2019, Thoerner shipped off to Massachusetts to attend Division II Tufts University. The first semester was very tough for Dylan adjusting to the far move away from home. 

As the sixth man, Thoerner played in all 29 games and was third on the team in field goal percentage. The season progressed and the team fulfilled the expectations bestowed on them of winning the NESCAC Championship as the No. 1 seed. Set to have a deep run in the postseason, the Jumbos season was canceled on their bus ride to their Sweet Sixteen game of the Division III NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. 

Unfortunately, the playing pause for Tufts continued through the 2020-21 season.

Able to take the court again in 2021-22, Thoerner’s role grew as he was now a key player. His new head coach Brandon Linton instilled the values of relationships, accountability, and competitiveness in the team, and it still resonates with the guard today. The team faced several challenges during the year but bounced back the following season. 

As one of the senior leaders on the team, Thoerner felt that it was important to take the younger players under his wing to show them how to play competitively and what it takes to win. The passion and intensity within the team was strong. Despite not winning the conference tournament in 2022-23, Tufts received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the Second Round. 

Thoerner completed his undergraduate career as a NABC All-American and two-time All-NESCAC First Team honoree. Academically, Thoerner graduated summa cum laude and as an Academic All-American. 

Because of the COVID year, Thoerner was awarded an extra year of eligibility and made the decision to return to Irvine.

The winning culture that has been cultivated at UC Irvine is what drew him to the program. The overarching goal the graduate student wants to achieve is winning the Big West Championship to advance to NCAA’s March Madness while achieving his personal career goal of 1,000 points which he is just seven shy of.

This upcoming season gives a new purpose to Thoerner’s career. Beyond the expectations for himself and his role on the team, he wants to make his family and friends proud by working hard and being successful. Finishing his career at home, Thoerner hopes that it can be an opportunity to inspire kids in the local community to pursue their dreams. 

Not only does Thoerner reunite with his family and friends but a former teammate as well. The guard played alongside fellow fifth year student athlete Dean Keeler for two AAU circuits where they saw a lot of success. 

“He’s a tough, strong player and one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played alongside," stated Thoerner. "He’s helped me tremendously with adjusting to UCI. I’m grateful he’s a close friend.”

The veteran duo look to replicate the same success they saw on their AAU team to this year’s UCI squad. 

Thoerner is enrolled in the Master of Finance program and is interested in a working in the investment or asset management field with plans to obtain his CFA. His dream job would be working with the NBA in a front office or management role. 

THANK YOU’S FROM DYLAN

I’d like to thank two other coaches who have mentored me. Yousof Etemadi was my Cali Rebels AAU coach and current varsity head coach at Foothill High School. He emphasized how to ‘play the right way’ and instilled confidence in me that I can play the game at a high level. Shea Frazee has been my basketball trainer since 8th grade. He’s probably the best basketball mind and trainer I’ve ever met. He’s helped me overachieve my expectations and hone my skills, especially shooting and mental preparation. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without his guidance.

I’d like to thank my sister. Thanks for making me a ‘free throw notebook’ to keep track of my shots. I know she didn’t want to spend her weekends sitting in hot, stuffy gyms watching her brother play another boring basketball game. I’d like to thank my mom for being my #1 supporter. She often had more confidence in my abilities than I did and has helped me get through tough times. No matter how loud the gym is, I can hear her loud cheering in the stands.