University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Jerry E. Lee
Gophers Add Drexel Transfer Alihan Demir
5/7/2019 3:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
University of Minnesota head men's basketball coach Richard Pitino announced the addition of 6-9 forward Alihan Demir (Ankara, Turkey/Ari College) on Tuesday, with the former Drexel University standout set to graduate and join the Gophers with immediate eligibility.
"We are extremely excited about welcoming Alihan to our basketball program," said Pitino. "With his skill, size and versatility I expect him to make an immediate impact. He will do great things on and off the court."
Demir will arrive in Minneapolis after spending two seasons with the Dragons, where he was an All-Colonial Athletic Association Third Team selection this past season. In 2018-19, Demir was second on the team in both scoring (14.8) and rebounding (6.4). Among CAA players, Demir finished the season ranked in the top-16 in five different categories: eighth in field goal percentage (51.2), 10th in rebounding, 13th in blocks (0.6) 14th in assists (2.9), and 16th in scoring. Demir played in 60 games at Drexel, starting all but five.
Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Demir spent one season at Central Wyoming College. He was an All-Conference selection for the Rustlers, where he averaged 13.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field.
In Turkey, Demir played on the Under 16 and Under 18 Ankara championship teams, where his U-16 team finished second in the Turkey Nationals in 2012, while his U-18 team finished third in 2015 and fourth in 2014.
Demir is the fourth member of the Gophers 2019 signing class, joining rising freshmen Sam Freeman (Dallas, Texas/Northwest HS), Isaiah Ihnen (Boeblingen, Germany/IBA Munich) and Tre' Williams (Dallas, Texas/Wasatch Academy [Utah]).
"We are extremely excited about welcoming Alihan to our basketball program," said Pitino. "With his skill, size and versatility I expect him to make an immediate impact. He will do great things on and off the court."
Demir will arrive in Minneapolis after spending two seasons with the Dragons, where he was an All-Colonial Athletic Association Third Team selection this past season. In 2018-19, Demir was second on the team in both scoring (14.8) and rebounding (6.4). Among CAA players, Demir finished the season ranked in the top-16 in five different categories: eighth in field goal percentage (51.2), 10th in rebounding, 13th in blocks (0.6) 14th in assists (2.9), and 16th in scoring. Demir played in 60 games at Drexel, starting all but five.
Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Demir spent one season at Central Wyoming College. He was an All-Conference selection for the Rustlers, where he averaged 13.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field.
In Turkey, Demir played on the Under 16 and Under 18 Ankara championship teams, where his U-16 team finished second in the Turkey Nationals in 2012, while his U-18 team finished third in 2015 and fourth in 2014.
Demir is the fourth member of the Gophers 2019 signing class, joining rising freshmen Sam Freeman (Dallas, Texas/Northwest HS), Isaiah Ihnen (Boeblingen, Germany/IBA Munich) and Tre' Williams (Dallas, Texas/Wasatch Academy [Utah]).
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