Men’s Basketball Announces Addition of Saran

STANFORD, Calif. – Transferring to Stanford after spending his freshman season at UC Irvine, Kyle Smith, the Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men's Basketball, has announced the addition of Derin Saran.

"We are thrilled that Derin is coming to Stanford. He is a complete student-athlete who has always coveted the idea of attending and playing basketball for the Cardinal," said Smith. "He gained valuable experience last year at UC Irvine playing point guard for the Big West champions.

A 6-4 guard from Istanbul, Turkey, Saran averaged 10.01 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game at UC Irvine in 2023-24, including shooting marks of 50.2 percent from the floor and 34.9 percent from 3-point range. He finished in double figures 16 times, including a career-high 17 points twice, at Cal Poly on Feb. 1 and vs. Cal State Fullerton on Jan. 4.

"Derin possesses good size and skill in the backcourt," continued Smith. "His ability to score and make plays with a high usage rate should translate well as he levels up to Stanford. Derin has a bright future, and we are excited to have him moving forward. He is someone we can grow with as Stanford basketball gains prominence."

Saran played in high school at the Asheville School in North Carolina, where he averaged 19.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game as a senior while helping the program reach the NCISAA Class 3A semifinals. Saran won three conference championships in his three-year high school career in the United States, and he was a North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year nominee.

A native of Turkey, Saran has been a member of the youth national team system at the under-19 and U20 levels.

Saran joins Oziyah Sellers (USC) as transfers to Stanford this offseason, the first under Smith.