World Junior Record Holder Kuzey Tuncelli Headed to Texas Longhorns
Kuzey Tuncelli has announced he will join the University of Texas.
The Turkish world junior champion, 18, made his announcement on social media, and Texas confirmed that Tuncelli has officially signed with the school.
“I’m excited to share a major step in my career and my life. I’m honored to announce that I will be joining the University of Texas for the next chapter of my journey. I want to thank Bob Bowman, Erik Posegay, and the entire Texas family for giving me this opportunity. My deepest gratitude goes to my coach Aykut Çelik, my club Fenerbahçe, our Federation, and all of our staff — the people who played a huge role in getting me to this point and who will continue this journey with me. A long adventure awaits us. Sending my love and respect to everyone who’s been with me and to all sports fans!” Tuncelli wrote on Instagram.
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Tuncelli broke the world junior record in the 1500 free as a 16-year-old in the Paris Olympic final. He swam a time 14:41.22 in the biggest race of his career at that point, finishing fifth, just one-and-a-half seconds away from a podium finish. He also finished 11th in the men’s 800 free (7:47.29). Later in the year, Tuncelli would pick up his first senior-level international medal with bronze in the 1500-meter free at the Short Course World Championships.
Tuncelli is coming off of a strong performance during the summer 2025 season. At the World Championships, he finished sixth in the 800 freestyle (7:46.01) and 1500 freestyle (14:52.44). He broke the Turkish record during prelims in the 800 (7:45.13). He was even faster in the 1500 free at the European Junior Championships, going 14:45.05 to win gold for the third consecutive year. He also won gold in the 800 freestyle in 7:46.01 and took the bronze in the 400 free (3:49.50). To conclude his run, Tuncelli swept gold medals in the 800 and 1500 free at the World Junior Championships, defending the wins he previously earned in 2023.
Now 18, Tuncelli could join the Longhorns’ roster as soon as next fall, giving him one season of overlap with mid-distance and individual medley specialist Rex Maurer. The Longhorns recently received a verbal commitment from rising American mid-distance star Luka Mijatovic, who will join the team in 2027. Tuncelli is expected to immediately contend for individual NCAA titles, particularly in the 1650-yard event.
