Photo by: Jake Hamlin
Anteaters Represent UC Irvine and United States at 45th William Jones Cup in Taiwan
September 04, 2026 | Men's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine men's basketball returned home from a memorable two-week trip to Taiwan after representing the United States at the 45th William Jones Cup, combining a successful 7-1 run on the court with cultural experiences, community outreach, and opportunities to meaningfully connect with UC Irvine alumni, supporters, and friends abroad.
For many of the Anteaters, the trip marked their first opportunity to travel to Asia. Based in New Taipei City for two weeks, the team experienced a different culture firsthand while competing against an international field featuring teams representing Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Jordan, the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea.
"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 international impact 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, especially the people who welcomed us and helped make this trip possible. We leave Taiwan better connected, more experienced and more appreciative of what we get to do together."
REPRESENTING THE UNITED STATES
UC Irvine represented the United States in the Jones Cup field, continuing the program's history at one of Asia's longstanding international basketball competitions.
The Anteaters advanced to the championship game for the second time in as many appearances at the event, finishing the trip with a 7-1 record. UCI went 6-0 in pool play before advancing through the tournament and ultimately meeting South Korea in the championship game.
The international competition gave the Anteaters an early opportunity to play together against a variety of teams and styles from throughout Asia.
Individually, Tama Isaac and Luke Isaak each produced 20-point performances, with Isaac reaching the mark against Malaysia and Isaak doing so against Chinese Taipei White. Harrison Carrington recorded a double-double in the opener, while Carrington, Ben Egbo, Olivier Rioux, and Nes Emeneke each produced double-digit rebounding performances during the tournament, with Emeneke accomplishing the feat twice.
Josiah Johnson led UC Irvine in scoring throughout the tournament, averaging 14.4 points per game while reaching double figures in each of his five appearances. Johnson, who also recorded a double-digit assist performance, was recognized for his standout play with a selection to the Jones Cup All-Tournament Team.
EXPERIENCING TAIWAN
The two-week trip extended well beyond basketball.
The Anteaters had an opportunity to explore Taipei and the surrounding area, giving the team's student-athletes a firsthand look at the history, food and culture of Taiwan.
Among the highlights was a visit to Shifen Old Street, where the team participated in the tradition of decorating and releasing sky lanterns from the historic railway tracks running through the town.
The group also visited Taipei 101, taking in panoramic views of the city from the observatory on the 89th floor, before experiencing one of Taiwan's famous night markets at Raohe, where players and staff sampled local street food and explored the market.
For a group that included many student-athletes making their first trip to Asia, the experiences provided a perspective that went far beyond what could be gained on a basketball court.
CONNECTING THROUGH BASKETBALL
Basketball also provided an opportunity for the Anteaters to give back to their hosts.
UC Irvine held a youth basketball clinic at Shih Chien University, where Anteater players and coaches worked directly with local children through drills, instruction, and interaction.
The clinic gave UCI's student-athletes an opportunity to share the game with young players despite differences in language and background, while providing another meaningful connection between the program and the local community.
CULTIVATING UCI'S CONNECTIONS IN TAIWAN
The trip also provided an opportunity to strengthen UC Irvine's relationships internationally.
During its stay, the program participated in a social event at the American Club, bringing together members of the UC Irvine community and supporters in Taiwan. The event allowed the program to cultivate relationships away from campus while showcasing UCI Athletics and men's basketball to an international audience.
Those interactions, combined with the visibility of representing the United States in an international tournament, allowed the Anteaters to serve as ambassadors for UC Irvine and the United States throughout their two weeks in Taiwan.
From competing against teams from across Asia to working with Taiwanese youth, connecting with the UCI community abroad and experiencing a new culture together, the trip provided an opportunity for the Anteaters to represent their university on a stage extending well beyond basketball.
The team returned to Irvine with a 7-1 record, a deeper connection as a group and a collection of experiences that will extend well beyond the 2026-27 season.
For many of the Anteaters, the trip marked their first opportunity to travel to Asia. Based in New Taipei City for two weeks, the team experienced a different culture firsthand while competing against an international field featuring teams representing Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Jordan, the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea.
"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 international impact 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, especially the people who welcomed us and helped make this trip possible. We leave Taiwan better connected, more experienced and more appreciative of what we get to do together."
REPRESENTING THE UNITED STATES
UC Irvine represented the United States in the Jones Cup field, continuing the program's history at one of Asia's longstanding international basketball competitions.
The Anteaters advanced to the championship game for the second time in as many appearances at the event, finishing the trip with a 7-1 record. UCI went 6-0 in pool play before advancing through the tournament and ultimately meeting South Korea in the championship game.
The international competition gave the Anteaters an early opportunity to play together against a variety of teams and styles from throughout Asia.
Individually, Tama Isaac and Luke Isaak each produced 20-point performances, with Isaac reaching the mark against Malaysia and Isaak doing so against Chinese Taipei White. Harrison Carrington recorded a double-double in the opener, while Carrington, Ben Egbo, Olivier Rioux, and Nes Emeneke each produced double-digit rebounding performances during the tournament, with Emeneke accomplishing the feat twice.
Josiah Johnson led UC Irvine in scoring throughout the tournament, averaging 14.4 points per game while reaching double figures in each of his five appearances. Johnson, who also recorded a double-digit assist performance, was recognized for his standout play with a selection to the Jones Cup All-Tournament Team.
EXPERIENCING TAIWAN
The two-week trip extended well beyond basketball.
The Anteaters had an opportunity to explore Taipei and the surrounding area, giving the team's student-athletes a firsthand look at the history, food and culture of Taiwan.
Among the highlights was a visit to Shifen Old Street, where the team participated in the tradition of decorating and releasing sky lanterns from the historic railway tracks running through the town.
The group also visited Taipei 101, taking in panoramic views of the city from the observatory on the 89th floor, before experiencing one of Taiwan's famous night markets at Raohe, where players and staff sampled local street food and explored the market.
For a group that included many student-athletes making their first trip to Asia, the experiences provided a perspective that went far beyond what could be gained on a basketball court.
CONNECTING THROUGH BASKETBALL
Basketball also provided an opportunity for the Anteaters to give back to their hosts.
UC Irvine held a youth basketball clinic at Shih Chien University, where Anteater players and coaches worked directly with local children through drills, instruction, and interaction.
The clinic gave UCI's student-athletes an opportunity to share the game with young players despite differences in language and background, while providing another meaningful connection between the program and the local community.
CULTIVATING UCI'S CONNECTIONS IN TAIWAN
The trip also provided an opportunity to strengthen UC Irvine's relationships internationally.
During its stay, the program participated in a social event at the American Club, bringing together members of the UC Irvine community and supporters in Taiwan. The event allowed the program to cultivate relationships away from campus while showcasing UCI Athletics and men's basketball to an international audience.
Those interactions, combined with the visibility of representing the United States in an international tournament, allowed the Anteaters to serve as ambassadors for UC Irvine and the United States throughout their two weeks in Taiwan.
From competing against teams from across Asia to working with Taiwanese youth, connecting with the UCI community abroad and experiencing a new culture together, the trip provided an opportunity for the Anteaters to represent their university on a stage extending well beyond basketball.
The team returned to Irvine with a 7-1 record, a deeper connection as a group and a collection of experiences that will extend well beyond the 2026-27 season.
Players Mentioned
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