2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster
Biography
GENERAL
- Senior point guard spent previous two years at VMI (2024-26) after playing his freshman season at Pacific (2023-24)
- Spanning first three collegiate seasons at the Division I level has averaged 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists over 91 games including 64 starts
- Ranked third in the Southern Conference in assists each of the past two seasons
- Strong passer who possesses exceptionally high basketball IQ
- Makes others around him better both on and off the court
2025-26 (AT VMI)
- Started all 31 games in which he played, ranking third in the SoCon in both assists (4.7) and steals (1.5)Â
- Posted career-bests in scoring (10.2), rebounding (3.6), assists, and steals, while adding a 2.03 assist-to-turnover ratio
- Scored in double figures 18 times, highlighted by a career-high 25-point performance to go along with seven assists in final game at Wofford (Feb. 18)
- Added a pair of double-doubles fueled by double-digit assist performances
2024-25 (AT VMI)
- Appeared in 32 games (31 starts), ranking third in the SoCon in assists (3.9)
- Dished out career-high and school-record 15 assists in his Keydets debut against Washington College, while adding career-high 10 rebounds
- Scored season-high 23 points vs. Samford (Feb. 27)
2023-24 (AT PACIFIC)
- Averaged 2.4 points and 1.4 assists over 12.3 minutes as a freshman, spanning 28 appearances including a pair of starts
- Tallied double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in regular season finale at San Diego
HIGH SCHOOL
- Member of Turkish National Team represented his native country at the FIBA EuroBasket, European Championship and Challengers, and World Cup from 2021-24 at the youth level, averaging 6.4 points and 3.8 assists spanning 39 international appearances
- Led Turkey with 20 points and eight assists in a historic first-ever win over Team USA to capture the bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup
- Earned All-Star Second Team honors after ranking second at 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, averaging 5.3 assists over seven games
- Played his club basketball for Galatasaray Nef
PERSONAL
- Birthday is January 1
- Given first name is Ege (Tan is middle name)
- Son of Ceyhun and Aylin Yildizoglu
- Father previously served two stints as the Turkish Women's National Team Coach (2008-15, 2018-22), and is currently the head coach of CBK Mersin in Turkey's Women's Basketball Super League
- Mother is former captain of the Turkish National Team, who was part of gold medal winning squad at 2005 Mediterranean Games in Spain
- Has a sister, Tara
THE YILDIZOGLU FILE
Nickname: The Motion Party
Instagram Handle: tan_yildizoglu
Major: Communications-Marketing
Dream Job: Pro Basketball Player
What I like most about Siena University: The people
What I like most about Coach Smith: His character and the style of basketball that we play
My pregame routine consists of: Listening to music and yelling "let’s hoop!" to get the team and myself going
My pregame hype song is: Rock Your Body, by Justin Timberlake
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would go to (and why): Where my family is because without them none of it matters
If I could have dinner with any three people – dead or alive – they would be: Anna de Armas, Kobe Bryant, and Robin Williams
Favorites
TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
Movies: Harry Potter, Interstellar, and Training Day
App: Spotify
Sports Team: GalatasarayÂ
Athlete: Stephen Curry
Celebrity: Robert De Niro
Animal: Lion
Car: MercedesÂ
Vacation spot: Mykonos
Meal: Steak and wine
Ice cream flavor: Cookies and Cream
Color: Black
Statistics
Season Statistics
No statistics available for this season.
There are no statistics available for this player.
