OKEMOS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Ozan Baris from Okemos has been named the No. 1 player in the nation by the ITA Collegiate Tennis National Ranking Committee for NCAA Division I.

The junior is the first player in the Michigan State University tennis program to be given the No. 1 ranking. This adds to him also making history last season earning the program’s first No. 1 doubles ranked team with Max Sheldon.

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Last year, he helped MSU to a historic season with a program-record 23 wins and their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. He then qualified for the NCAA Tournament in both the singles and doubles. Named the Big Ten Player of the Year, he was also All-Big Ten first team.

In fall ’23, Baris teamed with Max Sheldon to win the ITA National Championships which was a first for the program.

This summer, he was one of six players selected for the ATP Next Gen Accelerator and USTA Collegiate Summer Team professional development program. That came on the heels of his semi-final finish at the NCAA Singles Championship.

MSU heads into the fall season with four national rankings with two in singles and two in doubles.