IRVINE, Calif.-- UC Irvine men's basketball is excited to announce the signing of Derin Saran to their fall 2023 recruiting class.
 
Saran reigns from Istanbul, Turkey putting together an accomplished career at the Asheville School in North Carolina. The 6'4" point guard averaged 19.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in his senior year, leading his team to the conference championship to claim Western North Carolina Player of the Year and First Team All-State honors. The incoming freshman was as a North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year nominee.
 
Saran won three conference championships in his three-year high school career in the United States. The guard was recently invited to the U19 Turkish National team to compete in the World Championships and U20 European Championships this summer. 
 
"Derin is a talented player and a great fit for the UCI community and our team," remarked head coach Russell Turner. "He is exceptionally motivated and competitive, and he has an intriguing combination of size, skill, and confidence in his ability to make others better and make his teams win.  Derin's future is bright, and I am grateful to him and his family for their belief in us."
 
Saran joins fellow freshman Jurian Dixon in the incoming recruiting class, entering the Anteater program that concluded the 2022-23 campaign with a 23-12 overall record, including a 15-5 conference record that helped secure a Big West Regular Season Championship.