California Irvine Athletics

IRVINE, Calif.-- UC Irvine men's basketball returns guard Derin Saran for the 2025-26 season.
 
Saran, who spent his freshman year with the regular season title winning Anteaters in 2023-24, makes his return to Irvine after a one-year stint at Stanford. He appeared in five games for the Cardinal before needing to rehab from an injury.
 
"It's exciting for our program and community that Derin Saran has chosen to return to UC Irvine," remarked head coach Russell Turner. "He established himself in his year here as a winning player, who loves the game, competes at a high level with toughness, and makes his teammates better. I look forward to working with him and being a part of his continued growth."
 
In his rookie campaign, Saran finished third on the team with 10.1 points per game as he finished with one of the best shooting percentages (0.502, 123-245). The guard started an eight-game double figure scoring streak on Nov. 17 that lasted until Dec. 16 and saw two then-career-high 16-point games, both at the Ball Dawgs Classic (Nov. 21-24). Saran added 51 assists and 29 steals during the 2023-24 season, both third-best on the squad.
 
Saran rejoins the Anteater program that is coming of their first appearance in the NIT championship game and a record-setting 32 wins.