UCI’s Turner gets new contract

UC Irvine men’s basketball coach Russell Turner has signed a new contract through the 2017-18 season, a source confirmed on Thursday.

The contract, originally reported by ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, rewards Turner, who guided the program to a 21-16 season, the third-best win total in program history, last year, his third at the helm.

Turner, who before coming to UCI was an assistant for six seasons with the Golden State Warriors, opens his fourth season with the Anteaters with a 46-55 record. UCI plays host to Fresno State on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Bren Events Center.

Turner signed a five-year contract when he got the job in April 2010, but terms of the new deal begin this season.

UCI advanced to the Big West Conference Tournament championship game last season and its home win over High Point in the CollegeInsider.com tournament was the program’s first postseason victory since 1986.

The ‘Eaters are the consensus preseason favorite to win the Big West this season and have captured attention by landing 7-foot-6 freshman center Mamadou Ndiaye, as well as 6-3 freshman guard Luke Nelson, a decorated player from England.

Turner’s resume also includes previous stints as an assistant at Stanford and Wake Forest.

— Barry Faulkner