The first time UC Irvine coach Russell Turner saw Bent Leuchten touch a basketball, it was on a video sent from overseas.
Leuchten’s handlers back in Bavaria, Germany knew of Turner’s long history of developing post players and they thought the Anteaters would be the perfect fit for their growing prodigy.
Turner saw the outline of a potential star player, but he knew Leuchten still had a long way to go, both physically and mentally, if he wanted to contribute to the Anteaters.
Fast forward five years and Leuchten has not only fulfilled most of his athletic potential, but the 7-foot-1 center has become one of the program’s best ambassadors in Turner’s 15 years at the school.
“In terms of the way he carries himself everyday and represents us in the classroom, on campus, walking around as a big physical representative of who we are, he’s as good as any guy we’ve had,” Turner said.
Leuchten made the biggest basket of his four-year UCI career with 31 seconds left in overtime in their NIT quarterfinal last Wednesday night against visiting Alabama-Birmingham.
The short jumper in the key off a pick-and-roll broke the final tie in the 81-77 victory and advanced the top-seeded Anteaters (31-6) to the NIT Final Four, which begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. PT against second-seeded North Texas (27-8) at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (ESPN).
“I cannot remember one that has been bigger than that one,” Leuchten said of his overtime basket.
Earlier in his UCI career, Leuchten might not have been on the court during that crucial part of the game.
After averaging seven minutes per game as a freshman three years ago, Leuchten was a regular starter the past two seasons, but didn’t impress enough to even make honorable mention on the postseason all-conference teams.
After dipping his toe into the transfer portal last spring, Leuchten decided to stay at UCI after he was promised more playing time.
He then dedicated himself to getting into the best shape possible for his final season with the Anteaters, remained healthy all season and improved his statistics across the board while earning first-team All-Big West Conference honors.
Playing 10 more minutes per game than last season, Leuchten’s scoring average went from 9.0 to 15.4 ppg, his rebounding from 4.6 to 9.0 rpg and even his free throw and 3-point shooting percentages improved from previous seasons.
“I’m in better shape, I’ve worked harder, and I put myself in a better position this year than I have in past years,” Leuchten said.
Turner, who stands 6-7, is known for getting the most out of his tallest players.
In his second season with the Anteaters, Turner coached 6-9 forward Adam Folker, who went on to win the Big West’s Hustle Award.
Will Davis II was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award the following season, and 7-6 center Mamadou Ndiaye won it twice (2014 and 2016).
Jonathan Galloway was also a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner in the Big West from 2017-19, and Brad Greene won the same award in 2021.
“Some of what has made our program such a good one for big guys is we have a lot of big guys, and so they get a chance to compete with one another every day in practice, and in the weight room and on the track,” Turner said. “I’m also one who continually asks for more from the big guys. Having been a big man myself, I sometimes see the game from that perspective, and so I’m demanding, and that’s not easy on them.”
Leuchten shared playing time with 6-9 forward Dean Keeler the past two seasons and brothers Carter and Hayden Welling joined the big-man rotation last season as well.
Keeler finished his eligibility last season and the Welling brothers transferred to Utah Valley, leaving just Leuchten and Colorado State transfer Kyle Evans as the only players taller than 6-6 on this season’s roster.
“When I have three really good ones to choose from, it was easy to motivate all of them when they didn’t progress as fast as I want by playing somebody else,” Turner said. “That’s some of what happened to Bent.”
Leuchten was recruited by a number of schools while in the portal for about a month last spring, including Missouri, Xavier, VCU and Oregon State, but ultimately he decided it was best to finish his career with the Anteaters.
“It was mainly the people we had here, the coaches,” Leuchten said of deciding to stay. “Just knowing that I could trust them that I would get a bigger chance here, and that they would keep their word on what they were promising me, which you can never be sure how that is at a different place.”
Leuchten changed his offseason routine by improving his nutrition and adding a personal training session every morning before working out with the team in the afternoon.
After dealing with knee injuries each of the past two seasons, better conditioning seems to have generated better health for Leuchten.
He averaged 15.3 points and 8.8 rebounds through the first month of the season to help the Anteaters start 9-0.
He then averaged 15.8 points and 9.3 rebounds during conference play, helping UCI to a second-place finish behind UC San Diego.
“When he got here, I don’t think he saw himself as the type of defender that he is now. As the type of rebounder that he is now. As the type of physical and intimidating presence as he is now,” Turner said. “It’s not his nature to be intimidating and physical. He’s learned how to be more of those things to fit his overall body type, and fit the style that we play.”
He looked in complete control during overtime against UAB, scoring seven of his team’s 12 points. He finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for his eighth double-double in the past 10 games.
“The double-double stat is especially reflective more of his minutes than anything,” Turner said. “That’s to his credit. He’s changed his body, he’s made himself physically better and tougher mentally and physically, so I’m really happy for his continued development, which I think is going to continue after this year, too. I think he has a long basketball career in front of him, and I think he’s going to keep getting better.”
UC IRVINE (31-6) VS. NORTH TEXAS (27-8)
What: NIT semifinal
When: Tuesday, 4 p.m. PT
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
TV: ESPN
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