UCI’s Nelson shooting for opportunities

With graduation season reaching an end, former students are searching for career opportunities. UC Irvine product Luke Nelson’s job interviews are taking place on the basketball court, including recent workouts for the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Orlando Magic.

Nelson, the 2017 Big West Conference Player of the Year who averaged 16.9 points as a senior, should have an opportunity to catch on with a team in the NBA Summer League, UCI coach Russell Turner said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me to see him in the NBA at some point,” said Turner, who worked for five seasons as an NBA assistant with the Golden State Warriors before coming to UCI. “Like a lot of guys in our league, it may take him more than this year. But he can make it.”

Davis awaiting call

Another former Anteater still trying to make his way to the NBA is Will Davis, who last played for UCI in 2014-15. Davis recently completed his season with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League, recently renamed the G League.

Davis averaged 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game and he is hopeful about receiving an invitation to an NBA training camp, Turner said.

Best foot forward

Former UCI basketball player Mike Best played professionally last season in the Ukraine and Cyprus, Turner said.

“He had good numbers with a really bad team in a good league in Ukraine, then got picked up for a playoff run with Cyprus, where he also did well,” Turner said. “It was a good year for Mike, who showed a lot of grit and resilience. I think he’ll get more and better opportunities next season based on how he played.”

Pirates to Panthers

Two Orange Coast College men’s basketball players have earned opportunities to continue their playing careers at Chapman University.

Estancia High product Josh Mendoza and former Costa Mesa High standout Sean Comer will join the Panthers, for which former Costa Mesa High players and coaches Dan Krikorian and Mike Molina are assistant coaches.

Mendoza averaged 10 points per game for the Pirates last season, for whom he started 18 times in 25 games.

Comer, who started six games, averaged 3.8 points for OCC.

Titans’ run halted

Five players with local ties representing Cal State Fullerton ended their season Monday at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Newport Harbor High graduate Connor Seabold, a junior starting pitcher drafted in the third round by the Philadelphia Phillies last week, pitched well in Omaha. The right-hander allowed one run and six hits in five innings against No. 1 national seed Oregon State on Saturday.

He left the game with a 5-1 lead, but the Beavers rallied to claim a 6-5 win.

Seabold finished 11-5 with a 2.96 ERA.

Dillon Persinger, a first-team All-Big West Conference performer who starred previously at Fountain Valley High and Golden West College, was one for six in Omaha. He drove in one run and scored twice.

The Titans were eliminated on Monday with a 6-4 loss to Florida State.

Persinger, drafted in the 18^th round last week by the Cleveland Indians, hit .287 with three home runs, 31 RBIs and a team-best 18 stolen bases for the Titans, for whom he started at first base.

Hunter Cullen, a Corona del Mar High product and the starting right fielder, was hitless in five at-bats in Omaha, though he scored one run. A senior, he hit .264 with six homers, 30 RBIs and 11 steals in 11 attempts in 2017.

Orange Coast College product Chris Prescott, who started in left field during the entire postseason, had one hit in five at-bats in Omaha. He finished batting .228 with seven RBIs and three steals.

OCC product Jack Pabich, a junior reliever, did not record an out in his only CWS appearance. Pabich allowed two runs on two hits and took the loss against Florida State.

Sandoval debut a hit

Brandon Sandoval, who hit .403 with 33 steals in his senior season at Vanguard University, began his professional career in the Angels’ organization on Monday.

Sandoval, an outfielder who was a three-time All-Golden State Athletic Conference performer with the Lions, was drafted in the 27^th round on June 14 and signed on Sunday.

He went two for four with an RBI in his pro debut with the Orem Owlz of the rookie Pioneer League in a 13-9 season-opening loss to Ogden.

Sandoval, playing right field, also threw out a runner at the plate to earn an assist.

Hagger matriculates

Former OCC football and basketball star Davasyia Hagger, who left OCC after one year to play football at the University of Hawaii, graduated with a degree in economics last month.

Though a redshirt junior last season, when he caught two passes for seven yards, he is no longer listed on the Rainbow Warriors’ football roster, and will reportedly pursue an MBA.

barry.faulkner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BarryFaulkner5