SANTA ANA. Calif. - Santa Ana Men's Basketball returns to the court for the start of the 2022-23 season as they go on the road to face San Diego Mesa College in tonight's opener. 

The Dons are excited to turn the page after finishing 5-21 overall and 2-14 in the Orange Empire Conference last season. With a ton of fresh faces coming into the program, they hope to flip the script and make a run for the playoffs.

One of the bright spots from last season was the play of Russell Malone, who returns for his sophomore season with the Dons. The guard out of Fayette Ware High (Somerville, TN) played in just 10 games but averaged 13 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists. 

He'll be joined by fellow returners Miles Sulka (3.3ppg/2.9rpg) and Thomas Billinger (4.8ppg/2.8rpg) who are looking to have a bigger impact in year two. 

The Dons will need some help from their incoming guards if they want to turn things around this season. Freshman Kody Uyesugi is expected to see big minutes as one of the team's best playmakers. The guard out of University averaged 19.4 ppg and 4.5 apg during his senior season. 

Jonavan Castellanos and Semaj Blocker will also be counted on as the duo starts their collegiate careers after being named to All-Mojave River League while playing at Oak Hills High (Hesperia, CA). 

Santa Ana also got better on the interior with the addition of Zeyu Shan, Tyler Woods and Court Franklin. These three will get the bulk of minutes for the Dons down low and will mix in with Kelvonte Ellis, who is versatile enough to play as a guard and post. 

Tip-off for tonight's game is set for 5:00 p.m. at San Diego Mesa. Watch the game live here.