5 days ago
7-Foot College Basketball Recruit Makes Final Commitment Decision on Friday
7-Foot College Basketball Recruit Makes Final Commitment Decision on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
More than a decade after a strong playing career at Valparaiso, Bryce Drew stepped into his father's shoes as the Crusaders' head coach. Over five seasons, he racked up 124 wins, including 58 in his final two years.
Advertisement
Drew led Valparaiso to the NCAA Tournament twice before leaving for a higher profile job at Vanderbilt. Things didn't go as planned in Nashville, and he went 40-59 over three seasons, but his dismissal there eventually led to his current role at Grand Canyon University.
With the Antelopes, Drew has thrived, posting a 120-40 record over five seasons. Grand Canyon has reached the NCAA Tournament in four of Drew's five seasons, winning a first-round game as a No. 12 seed against No. 5 Saint Mary's in 2024.
Now, Drew is reloading for a fourth consecutive tournament appearance. On Friday, he secured a major addition to his roster.
According to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express and ESPN, "Turkish center Efe Demirel has committed to Grand Canyon."
"The 20-year-old played rotation minutes for Karsiyaka in the first division," Givony posted on X. "Skilled, mobile 7-footer had 18+7 in his last game. Significant addition for Bryce Drew."
Advertisement
Demirel began his pro career in 2021-22 with Lima SK Denergi in the TB2L and made his debut with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2022-23. During the 2022-23 U18 Tournament, he started four games, scoring 15 points and pulling down 15 rebounds across the event.
Grand Canyon University head coach Bryce Drew. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Demirel will join 6-foot-9 sophomore Kaleb Smith, who averaged 11 points per game for UC Riverside last season. Smith, who has two years of eligibility remaining, announced his transfer to Grand Canyon on May 2. Both big men will help offset the departures of Duke Brennan and JaKobe Coles.
The Antelopes also added 6-foot-8 forward Nana Owusu-Anane from Brown University. He missed the 2024-25 season due to injury but was a standout in 2023-24, averaging 14.7 points per game and earning second-team All-Ivy League honors.
Advertisement
Related: Kansas' Bill Self Makes Staff Move After Disappointing Season
Related: Florida Commit Xaivian Lee Makes Historic NIL Announcement on Thursday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
