UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Head Coach Mike Rhoades has announced the signing of UIC transfer Saša Ciani ahead of the 2025-26 season. Ciani, who has played one year at UIC and one season at Xavier, joins Penn State with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Saša Ciani (pronounced SAH-shuh CHAH-nee)
6-9 | Forward | Nova Gorica, Slovenia | UIC/Xavier
- Saw action in 27 games while making 21 starts during 2024-25 season at UIC. Averaged 9.9 points and a team-best 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 53.3 percent from the field. His 7.6 rebounds per game ranked second in the Missouri Valley Conference.
- Tallied 11 double-doubles and scored in double figures 18 times during sophomore season at UIC. Scored season-high 16 points in comeback win at Illinois State on Dec. 29, 14 of which came in second-half rally, to earn MVC Newcomer of the Week honors.
- Played in 31 games while making five starts during freshman season at Xavier in 2023-24. Averaged 2.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field. Collected seven points, five rebounds and five assists at eventual NIT champion Seton Hall on Feb. 14, 2024, grabbed a season-high seven rebounds in a Jan. 31, 2024, win over St. John’s and collected seven points, six rebounds and four assists in a victory over crosstown rival Cincinnati on Dec. 9, 2023.
- Played 2022-23 season for KK Cedevita Olimpija in ABA League First Division in native country of Slovenia. Also averaged 11.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks, while shooting 65 percent from the field, while on loan to Cedevita Junior competing in the First Croatian League in Zagreb, Croatia.
- Represented Slovenia at the U-20 European Championships in 2022 (12.4 ppg., 8.6 rpg. in seven games) and 2023 (12.0 ppg., 8.6 rpg., 1.4 apg. in seven games).
- Made his debut with the Slovenian National Team in August 2022 in an exhibition against the Netherlands before playing in two games for Slovenia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup European qualifiers, averaging 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. One of his teammates on that 2023 Slovenian National Team was NBA All-Star Luka Dončić.
Rhoades on Ciani: “We’re excited to get Saša on campus and welcome him to our Penn State basketball family. He is a veteran that will give us front court experience, size and versatility. We’re looking forward to the leadership, intense play and toughness that he will bring to our program.”