The UBCO Heat men's basketball program has added three athletes from Kelowna to its roster for the 2026-27 season, a move that underscores the program's effort to keep local talent in the Okanagan and to deepen the squad’s depth ahead of the Canada West campaign.
Local talent returning to strengthen the Heat
Guards Tarun Saroya and Cole Koop, along with forward Wil Zylyk, are set to join the Heat in the fall. Two of the recruits — Saroya and Koop — spent their high school careers in Kelowna with Kelowna Secondary School, while Zylyk is a graduate of Okanagan Mission Secondary School.
"I'm thrilled to have Taryn, Cole and Wil join our team for the upcoming season," said Heat head coach and general manager Clay Pottinger.
Pottinger framed the signings as both a recruiting success and part of a broader strategy to build a team featuring players who grew up playing in the Okanagan.
Background and recent form
Saroya, a 6-foot-6 guard, arrives at UBCO after a season at Erie Prep Academy in Pennsylvania. There he earned Ohio Prep Conference Most Valuable Player honours, helped Erie Prep claim its first regular-season championship and finished the season as the team's leading scorer. The source material notes he ranked inside the top 35 players in the state during that season.
Koop returns to Kelowna after a season with Briercrest College in the ACAC, where he played for a nationally ranked team and averaged 10.4 points, 2.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per game. He previously appeared in 11 games for the Heat between 2023 and 2025.
Zylyk arrives from the University of Ottawa, where he played two seasons with the Gee-Gees. During his time there he appeared in 37 games, contributed to an OUA championship in 2024-25 and was part of teams that won bronze at the U SPORTS championships in both 2023-24 and 2024-25.
What this means for Kelowna and UBCO basketball
The additions reinforce UBCO's stated commitment to recruiting Okanagan-developed players. For Kelowna's basketball ecosystem — including high school programs and local clubs — the pathway from city courts to U SPORTS competition remains visible and active.
- Retention of local talent: UBCO continues to prioritise athletes who developed in Kelowna.
- Experience mix: the recruits bring a blend of U SPORTS experience (Zylyk), ACAC performance (Koop) and U.S. prep success (Saroya).
- Program stability: returning players and local recruits help sustain community interest and support for the Heat.
| Player | Position | Previous team |
|---|---|---|
| Tarun Saroya | Guard (6-6) | Erie Prep Academy (Pennsylvania); formerly Kelowna Secondary School |
| Cole Koop | Guard | Briercrest College (ACAC); previously played for UBCO |
| Wil Zylyk | Forward | University of Ottawa Gee-Gees; Okanagan Mission Secondary School |
Coach Pottinger noted the program's longstanding aim to keep top local players in the region regardless of whether they arrive as rookies or transfers, saying that securing these three athletes represented "a major win" for the program. The signings will be watched closely by supporters of UBCO and by families who see the university as a realistic destination for local players who aspire to compete at the U SPORTS level.
With the Canada West season still months away, the incoming trio will join offseason training and team preparations in the lead-up to the 2026-27 campaign, adding size, experience and local ties to the Heat roster.
