Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Nevada [Exh] on October 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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Men's Basketball
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Featuring the Runnin’ Utes: Mike Sharavjamts
1/28/2025 12:39 PM | Men's Basketball
The junior guard looks to lead Utah into battle to continue the conference season
Mike Sharavjamts has been a crucial addition to the Runnin' Utes team this season, using his length and versatility to be a leader on both sides of the floor. Sharavjamts, a pioneer for his home country of Mongolia, looks to lead Utah in the second half of conference play.
Sharavjamts spent a large portion of his childhood moving around the world but remained focused on basketball. Sharavjamts was born in Phoenix, Ariz., before quickly moving to Mongolia until he was 12 years old. The teenager then moved to three different cities in the United States, settling in Dayton, Ohio to compete for Midwest 3SSB (AAU) and International Sports Academy.
"The first couple of years was kind of hard because I moved to the United States with my brother when we were so young," Sharavjamts said. "He was 15 at that time, and it was hard. But playing at this level helps me to overcome missing home and things like that."
Playing basketball runs in Sharavjamts' family as his father Sharavjamts Tserenjankhar "The Mongolian Shark" was the first Asian Harlem Globetrotter (2001-03). Sharavjamts grew up with a basketball in hand just being around his father's basketball career, knowing he wanted to play basketball as early as the age of 10.
"It impacted me a lot. Growing up around basketball was because of him. He taught me a lot."
Once Sharavjamts reached high school, his basketball career took off. In 2019, he captained the Mongolian U18 team that finished sixth in the 2019 World 3x3 Championships that was played in his hometown of Ulaanbaatar.
"It was so special. I was 16 at that point, it was special for me and for Mongolian basketball fans too because they saw what we can do in the future."
On the brink of his collegiate career commencing, he represented Mongolia on the World Team at the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore.
Sharavjamts started his college ball at Dayton University where he was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, playing in 32-of-34 games and being just the second true freshman to start in the season-opener for Dayton in the last eight 10 years since DaRon Holmes. With his Dayton signing, Sharavjamts became the first Mongolian citizen to earn a Division I scholarship.
"It means something for me, but it also means something for other guys too. There are a lot of Mongolians coming up and trying to play Division I basketball. I feel like I helped them a lot too."
After one season at Dayton, Sharavjamts committed to play for the San Francisco Dons where he started all 34 games.
With the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Sharavjamts returned to the portal and committed to the Runnin' Utes two months later. Many factors contributed to his transfer to Utah, but only a few stood out.
"The coaching staff and players, and I like the city around here. I like the winter and the snow too."
Sharavjamts has progressed throughout his first season in Salt Lake City, starting all but three games and totaling a career-high 19 points against Queens on Nov. 12. With two full seasons already under his belt, Sharavjamts has seen his game transformed at Utah.
"I've always been more of a game player, my whole career. But this year, I'm seeing the open shots and putting myself first in some situations. I feel like this year I'm trying to take the next step."
Sharavjamts and the Runnin' Utes welcome the Cincinnati Bearcats into the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Jan. 28 for their first meeting since Dec. 28, 1965.
Sharavjamts spent a large portion of his childhood moving around the world but remained focused on basketball. Sharavjamts was born in Phoenix, Ariz., before quickly moving to Mongolia until he was 12 years old. The teenager then moved to three different cities in the United States, settling in Dayton, Ohio to compete for Midwest 3SSB (AAU) and International Sports Academy.
"The first couple of years was kind of hard because I moved to the United States with my brother when we were so young," Sharavjamts said. "He was 15 at that time, and it was hard. But playing at this level helps me to overcome missing home and things like that."
Playing basketball runs in Sharavjamts' family as his father Sharavjamts Tserenjankhar "The Mongolian Shark" was the first Asian Harlem Globetrotter (2001-03). Sharavjamts grew up with a basketball in hand just being around his father's basketball career, knowing he wanted to play basketball as early as the age of 10.
"It impacted me a lot. Growing up around basketball was because of him. He taught me a lot."
Once Sharavjamts reached high school, his basketball career took off. In 2019, he captained the Mongolian U18 team that finished sixth in the 2019 World 3x3 Championships that was played in his hometown of Ulaanbaatar.
"It was so special. I was 16 at that point, it was special for me and for Mongolian basketball fans too because they saw what we can do in the future."
On the brink of his collegiate career commencing, he represented Mongolia on the World Team at the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore.
Sharavjamts started his college ball at Dayton University where he was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, playing in 32-of-34 games and being just the second true freshman to start in the season-opener for Dayton in the last eight 10 years since DaRon Holmes. With his Dayton signing, Sharavjamts became the first Mongolian citizen to earn a Division I scholarship.
"It means something for me, but it also means something for other guys too. There are a lot of Mongolians coming up and trying to play Division I basketball. I feel like I helped them a lot too."
After one season at Dayton, Sharavjamts committed to play for the San Francisco Dons where he started all 34 games.
With the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Sharavjamts returned to the portal and committed to the Runnin' Utes two months later. Many factors contributed to his transfer to Utah, but only a few stood out.
"The coaching staff and players, and I like the city around here. I like the winter and the snow too."
Sharavjamts has progressed throughout his first season in Salt Lake City, starting all but three games and totaling a career-high 19 points against Queens on Nov. 12. With two full seasons already under his belt, Sharavjamts has seen his game transformed at Utah.
"I've always been more of a game player, my whole career. But this year, I'm seeing the open shots and putting myself first in some situations. I feel like this year I'm trying to take the next step."
Sharavjamts and the Runnin' Utes welcome the Cincinnati Bearcats into the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Jan. 28 for their first meeting since Dec. 28, 1965.
Players Mentioned
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