Best to join UCI

Mike Best, a 6-foot-10 center from Terra Linda High in San Rafael, Calif., has signed a written offer of financial aid to join the UC Irvine men’s basketball program, announced by Anteaters’ Coach Russell Turner.

Best earned All-Marin County Athletic League first-team honors at Terra Linda this past season. He grew from 6-2 as a ninth-grader to his current 6-10 and his play this year drew the interest of many schools, including UC Santa Barbara, Pacific, UC Davis, San Jose State and Boston University.

“We have gotten a good player late in Mike Best,” Turner said. “He affects games with his shot-blocking and defensive presence. His shooting touch is excellent and I really like the fact that he is a comfortable three-point shooter at his size.

“His overall offensive game will continue to improve as he adds strength, and Mike will have to commit to this area, but I am excited to work with a developing big man with his potential,” Turner added.

Best joins an incoming freshman class at UCI that also includes:

Marcus Bradley, 6-6, F, Corona del Mar High

Will Davis, 6-9, C, Sacramento High/New Hampton (N.H.) Prep

Reed McConnell, 6-5, F, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, Calif.)

Travis Souza, 6-4, F, Turlock High/New Hampton (N.H.) Prep

Collin Woods, 6-2, G, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Horizon High

Aaron Wright, 6-2, G, Cerritos High

John Ryan, a 6-10 center, is transferring to UCI from Fresno State and will have to sit out the 2011-12 season per NCAA transfer rules. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

— From staff reports