Most college basketball programs wrapped up their 2025 recruiting classes months ago, but San José State was still hunting for the missing piece. In August, head coach Tim Miles found exactly what he needed: 6-foot-10 Turkish center Eren Karakaya, a shot-blocking specialist with professional experience who could transform the Spartans’ interior defense.
Why Did Tim Miles Sign Eren Karakaya So Late in Recruiting?
Miles defended the unconventional timing by pointing to Karakaya’s unique background and immediate impact potential. The late addition came through a team release that emphasized what made this center worth pursuing despite most programs having finished their recruiting.
“We are thrilled to add somebody of Eren’s quality, both as a basketball player and as a young man, so late into the recruiting cycle. Eren has a lot of valuable international playing experience and will have the potential of making a real impact on this year’s Spartan men’s basketball team,” Miles said in the official announcement.
Welcome to the squad Eren Karakaya! 🙌
📰: https://t.co/BwcKDrmpgZ#AllSpartans pic.twitter.com/Wab0O8Qgqt
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) August 30, 2025
The timing worked because international players often decide later than American prospects due to professional commitments abroad. While most college coaches had moved on, Miles capitalized on this recruiting window to address his biggest roster need.
Karakaya’s credentials justify the coach’s confidence. The 19-year-old center averaged 12.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks while setting the all-time single-season block record in Turkey’s U19 League. He also helped lead Beşiktaş U19 to a championship with seven double-doubles during the title run.
His promotion to Beşiktaş’s senior team during the 2024-25 season provided exposure to the Turkish Basketball Super League and EuroCup competitions. That professional experience separates him from typical American high school prospects still available in late summer.
Miles identified Karakaya’s defensive ability as the primary selling point, particularly his shot-blocking prowess that offers immediate help protecting the rim.
What Does Karakaya Bring to San José State’s 2025-26 Roster?
The Spartans desperately needed an interior presence after finishing 15-20 overall last season and eighth in the Mountain West Conference. Their interior defense was particularly weak, with Robert Vaihola, their primary rim protector, averaging just 1.4 blocks per game.
Karakaya’s shot-blocking numbers tell the story of what San José State was missing. His 3.8 blocks per game in Turkey’s U19 League nearly tripled what Vaihola provided last season. That kind of rim protection could be exactly what the Spartans need to climb out of the conference basement.
Eren Karakaya’dan blok. 👊
Eren Erdoğan’dan 3️⃣ sayılık isabet! ☄️ #ourfuture 💫 pic.twitter.com/aQUQ1C5yyG
— Beşiktaş GAİN (@BJK_Basketbol) May 7, 2024
The Turkish center joins a roster with a significant international presence, including players from France (Japhet Moupadele, Yaphet Moundi), Angola (Sadraque NgaNga), and Belize (Douglas Langford). At 6-foot-10, he forms an imposing frontcourt with 6-10 NgaNga and 6-8 Moupadele that gives the Spartans the size they haven’t had in years.
However, size alone won’t fix last season’s problems. What makes Karakaya different is his proven ability to alter shots and protect the rim, skills he developed through professional competition rather than just youth leagues.
Miles took a calculated risk, choosing talent over conventional recruiting timelines. If Karakaya can provide immediate rim protection and translate his international experience to college basketball, this late addition could prove to be a steal that transforms the Spartans’ defense.
