Dawkins embraces the transfer portal's chaos with gratitude, laying a foundation for UCF's future amidst roster uncertainty and returning talent.
Coach Johnny Dawkins and the UCF Knights are entering the most chaotic part of the offseason — the transfer portal — and Dawkins shared a heartfelt message for the players who represented the program.
"I want to thank all the young men who represented UCF this season!" Dawkins posted on X. "Whether your journey is complete, continuing with us or taking a new path... Go, Knights."
The transfer portal for men's basketball officially opened after the No. 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines won their second national championship in school history over the No. 2-seeded Connecticut Huskies.
Starting on Tuesday, there is a 15-day window for the Knights to assemble their new roster after seniors played out their final season of eligibility.
Guards Riley Kugel, Themus Fulks and George Beale Jr., and forwards Jamichael Stillwell and Devan Cambridge donned the black and gold UCF colors for their last seasons. Dawkins is losing scoring, playmaking and hustle from that group of seniors, but he has some building blocks from last season.
Guards Chris Johnson, Carmelo Pacheco and Kris Johnson, centers Jeremy Foumena and Elijah Huelswe, and forward Jordan Burks are some of the returning players — if they don't enter the portal.
Dawkins would retain some scoring and hustle with the returners, which is a far cry from the last transfer portal cycle, where he lost all of his scoring.
Despite potentially having returners for next year's squad, uncertainty frequently lingers around the transfer portal, even when the program sports successful seasons.
"I think for the players that will return, you never know in our world, I can't say that with assurance anymore," Dawkins said after losing to the No. 7-seeded UCLA Bruins. " But they've experienced this now, and they understand what it took along this journey to put us in this position. And so with that type of experience, the foundation is being laid right now and for our program, which those guys will always be known for that."
UCF has had recent success with its portal activity. The Knights made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019 with 11 new transfers.
Dawkins achieved back-to-back 20-win campaigns with a team that played together for one year, and it amassed under $4 million in NIL, which highlights the program's ability to find talent without breaking the bank.
Oklahoma State transfer guard Arturo Dean is also waiting to don the black and gold colors next season after sitting out a year.
The transfer portal is the most chaotic part of the offseason, but Dawkins and UCF have built a foundation from last year's team that they hope to continue to build in this year's portal cycle.
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