MBB | Gaels Get Even Bigger with Addition of Salih Altuntas

MBB | Gaels Get Even Bigger with Addition of Salih Altuntas

5/4/2026 4:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball

MORAGA, Calif. — While building his first roster as head coach, Mickey McConnell has made it clear that he is prioritizing size for the Gaels. That vision has become even clearer with the signing of 6-10 post Salih Altuntas. Altuntas appeared in 32 of a possible 35 games as a true freshman last year at the University of Miami (FL).

"We are thrilled for Salih to be joining our program. He will give us great size and physicality that we need at that position." noted McConnell, "He's going to make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor."

A native of Istanbul, Turkiye, Altuntas proved to be an incredibly strong finisher on the interior for the Canes in his lone year of action. Shooting 65.7% from the field, the big man missed more than just one field goal once during his freshman campaign. The most memorable moment of his first collegiate year came just three weeks in, when he went for a 13 point, 11 rebound double-double against Delaware State, converting on 6-7 field goal attempts.

Prior to his time in Miami, Altunas spent time playing for both Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Istanbul Anka Spor. He earned a starting role for the U19 team of Anadolu Efes Istanbul during the 2022-23 campaign, and held onto for three years before his move to America. Over those three years, he appeared in 54 contests and averaged 12.4 PPG and 9.6 RPG, while shooting 66.8% from the field. He also appeared in 20 games for the senior club for Anadolu Efes Istanbul. After being named an honorable mention All-Turkish U19 League honoree in 2023, he twice made his way onto the first team All-Turkish U19 League list in 2024 and 2025.

Altuntas represented his home nation of Turkiye at the U16, U18 and U20 levels. He really began turning heads for the Turkish Basketball Federation in 2024, representing Turkiye in both the U18 and U20 Eurobasket Tournaments, serving as the U18 squad's leading rebounder and second leading scorer, and the U20 squad's fourth leading scorer and rebounder. A year later, Altuntas led the U20 Turkiye National Team to a bronze medal finish at the U20 Eurobasket Group B Tournament, averaging 10 PPG and 6 RPG.

Altuntas will continue to add to the international flair of the 2026-27 Gael roster, that now will feature student athletes from Australia (Joshua Dent, Rory Hawke, Luke Fennell, Flynn Pavely), Lithuania (Mantas Juzenas), Greece (Vangelis Zougris), Canada (Thomas Ndong) and now Turkiye.

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