UCF eyes FSU's Martin Somerville, a defensive spark plug and playmaker. Could this high-energy guard solve their point guard depth and perimeter defense needs?
UCF has made some solid moves in the transfer portal, bringing in talented backcourt players like Lewis Walker and Cayden Vasko.
However, the Knights are still looking for point guard depth, as Oklahoma State transfer Arturo Dean, who redshirted with the program last season projects as the starter.
FSU transfer Martin Somerville is one player that UCF has reportedly been in contact with, reaching out to the in-state product in early April.
Somerville did it all for the Seminoles last season, averaging 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while adding 1.5 steals.
The 6-foot-3 point guard did most of his work off the bench, serving as a high-energy spark plug, especially on the defensive end.
One thing that UCF lacked last season was consistent perimeter defense, as both Themus Fulks and Riley Kugel, UCF's starting backcourt, were more offensively focused.
Dean, who is a menace on the defensive side himself, already provides a huge boost. Somerville would add to the defensive prowess.
Throughout last season, the SoCal Academy product recorded eight games of three steals or more for the Seminoles, including a 3-steal performance in their near-upset of Duke in the ACC Tournament.
Somerville nailed two 3-pointers against the Blue Devils, adding three thefts and two rebounds.
Prior to this matchup, against Cal, Somerville displayed his playmaking ability, racking up seven dimes and just one turnover.
Somerville's efficiency with the basketball was noteworthy, as he averaged nearly a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Prior to arriving in Tallahassee, Somerville played his freshman season at UMass Lowell, where he scored 13.6 points per game off the bench for the River Hawks.
While Somerville's shooting splits were not great with FSU, he showed the ability to knock down the long-ball with UMass Lowell, shooting at a 40.5% clip.
Somerville was not highly recruited in high school, being unranked and failing to secure a power-four offer.
However, things have changed following Somerville's development, as he has heard from multiple power-four programs since entering the portal, including TCU, NC State and Syracuse. He is ranked within the top-200 portalers, as a 3-star transfer, according to 247 Sports.
Somerville's defensive ability and youth would be a big get for head coach Johnny Dawkins and his staff.
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