Johnny Dawkins leverages a high-octane transfer portal haul and returning rim protection to reload the Knights. Discover which dynamic newcomers will join the rotation in the Big 12.
Following a head coaching extension for Johnny Dawkins and March Madness appearance last season, expectations for UCF basketball are high.
Despite losing solid production like Themus Fulks and Riley Kugel, the Knights were able to bring in some solid players in the transfer portal, while also retaining valuable pieces of last year's squad.
In this piece, I will predict the Knights' starting five for the upcoming season.
PG Arturo Dean
Dean joined the team in December, but it was too late for him to participate in the season. Nonetheless, Dean provides Dawkins and the Knights with a veteran point guard presence with experience playing in the Big 12.
Dean joins UCF after two years at Florida International and one year at Oklahoma State. Dean led all of Division I in steals (3.35 per game) during his 2023-24 season at FIU before serving as a critical rotational guard for the Cowboys two seasons ago.
He is also reuniting with his brother, Mister Dean, who transferred to UCF this past offseason.
SG Lewis Walker
Walker is a young, dynamic guard who took the country by storm with North Carolina A&T in his freshman campaign.
The 6-foot-6 combo guard averaged 18.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, while earning All-CAA Third Team and All-Rookie Team honors last season. He finished second in the CAA in free throws made (187) and field goal percentage (50.8).
While Walker may begin the year coming off the bench, I think his scoring ability and consistent rebounding makes him to valuable to keep out of the first five.
SF Cayden Vasko
Vasko is a unique player, using his 6-foot-6 frame to play 1-3 and running Wofford's offense last season.
He averaged 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game en route to All-SoCon Third Team honors.
Vasko and Arturo should help generate easy looks for Walker, Dior Johnson, and UCF's other offensive-minded scorers.
PF Jamichael Stillwell
Stillwell's situation is still fluid, as the NCAA has not made a decision about the current JUCO products in college and their additional eligibility.
If Stillwell can return next season, he would provide a gritty, double-double machine for the Knights. Stillwell's nine double-doubles were the most since Tacko Fall, while he also shot an efficient 50.4% from the field.
Stillwell has shown ability to score on the inside and the mid-range, while occasionally knocking down a 3-pointer. If he can improve from deep, Stillwell may carve out a role in the NBA thanks to his size and rebounding ability.
C John Bol
Bol was the youngest player who saw action for UCF last season, serving as the Knights' starting big man all year, despite only being a sophomore.
The 7-foot rim protector has become a fan favorite and will be much more comfortable in his second season with the program.
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