UC Irvine's Derin Saran commits to Stanford

UC Irvine PG Derin Saran has committed to Stanford out of the transfer portal.

News of Saran’s commitment comes via Egemen Onen of KIN Partners. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein later tweeted out the update on the former Anteater

“UC Irvine transfer Derin Saran has committed to Stanford, per Egemen Onen of KIN Partners,” Rothstein wrote on Twitter. “One of the top remaining floor generals in the transfer portal.”

With this decision, Saran is following in some of his family’s footsteps. His uncle played football for the Cardinal while his father also competed in the Pac-12, and now the ACC for both schools, as a member of the soccer team at California.

Saran appeared in 31 games off the bench as a freshman guard for UC Irvine this past season. During those games, he averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in just over 19 minutes a game. He did so while shooting 50.2% from the field.

Saran, a native of Istanbul, Turkey, played high school basketball at the Asheville School in North Carolina. He came out as a member of the 2023 cycle and joined the Anteaters.

Saran was one of top remaining point guards in the portal that was uncommitted. He rated as the No. 161 transfer and the No. 37 PG per On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Top Players. Only three point guards ahead of him in Kentucky’s DJ Wagner, Michigan State’s AJ Hoggard, and La Salle’s Khalil Brantley have yet to choose a new program to this point.

Saran is the second commitment out of the portal for Kyle Smith during this offseason. USC’s Oziyah Sellers, a former three-star shooting guard and Top-150 prospect in 2022, also committed to them in the past few days. He was the No. 317 portal player and No. 63 SG after averaging 3.4 points over two seasons with the Trojans.

That pair arrives after three other players transferred out amidst the coaching change from Jerod Haase after eight seasons to Smith. Kanaan Carlyle (Indiana), Andrej Stojakovic (Cal), and Brandon Angel (Oregon) have all since committed elsewhere. Carlyle was significant as the No. 13 overall transfer and No. 1 CG after averaging 11.5 points last season. Stojakovic, a former four-star and Top-25 prospect, was also notable with him at No. 81 and as the No. 20 SF after posting 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds. Angel was No. 160 in total and the No. 38 PF.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.