Photo by: Jake Hamlin
2026 Jones Cup Wrap-Up
September 01, 2026 | Men's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's basketball returns from Taiwan and the 45th William Jones Cup energized from a successful run and a valuable experience half a world away.
"I'm extremely proud of the way our team represented UC Irvine throughout our time in Taiwan," expressed head coach Russell Turner. "Going 7-1 against high-level international competition gave us a tremendous opportunity to grow as a basketball team, but the experiences away from the court were every bit as valuable. From experiencing the culture of Taipei to working with young players at our clinic and connecting with UCI alumni, our student-athletes were able to see the reach of our university and our basketball program firsthand. We're proud of what we accomplished on the court, but even more grateful for everything this experience provided beyond it. We leave Taiwan better connected, more experience and more appreciative of what we get to do together."
On the court, UCI reached the championship match doing so in each Jones Cup they've participated in. The 'Eaters went 6-0 in pool play highlighted by 20-point games from Tama Isaac vs. Malaysia and Luke Isaak vs. Chinese Taipei White. Harrison Carrington added a double-double in the opener, double-digit rebound games for him, Ben Egbo, Olivier Rioux, a pair from Nes Emeneke, and double-digit assist game from Josiah Johnson who led the team in scoring with double-figures in each game averaging 14.4 points per game.
The Anteaters were winning outside of the games as well venturing through New Taipei City from rewarding experiences like the flying lanterns to the night market to putting on a kids clinic for the Taiwanese youth.
"I'm extremely proud of the way our team represented UC Irvine throughout our time in Taiwan," expressed head coach Russell Turner. "Going 7-1 against high-level international competition gave us a tremendous opportunity to grow as a basketball team, but the experiences away from the court were every bit as valuable. From experiencing the culture of Taipei to working with young players at our clinic and connecting with UCI alumni, our student-athletes were able to see the reach of our university and our basketball program firsthand. We're proud of what we accomplished on the court, but even more grateful for everything this experience provided beyond it. We leave Taiwan better connected, more experience and more appreciative of what we get to do together."
On the court, UCI reached the championship match doing so in each Jones Cup they've participated in. The 'Eaters went 6-0 in pool play highlighted by 20-point games from Tama Isaac vs. Malaysia and Luke Isaak vs. Chinese Taipei White. Harrison Carrington added a double-double in the opener, double-digit rebound games for him, Ben Egbo, Olivier Rioux, a pair from Nes Emeneke, and double-digit assist game from Josiah Johnson who led the team in scoring with double-figures in each game averaging 14.4 points per game.
The Anteaters were winning outside of the games as well venturing through New Taipei City from rewarding experiences like the flying lanterns to the night market to putting on a kids clinic for the Taiwanese youth.
Players Mentioned
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