UCF Misses Out On 2027 G Lucai Anderson

As head coach Johnny Dawkins looks to cement UCF as a program to be reckoned with in the Big 12 Conference, the recruiting trail will be very important.

The rulings surrounding the transfer portal and it's accessibility are likely to be changed soon, meaning the being able to recruit high school talents will once again be at the top of coaches' lists of responsibilities.

For the Knights, Jahda Swann and Ladarius Givan are the two freshman joining the program this upcoming season, but Dawkins and his staff are continuing to try to build for the future.

Unfortunately, UCF missed out on one of it's top targets for the 2027 class on Oct. 14, with Lucai Anderson committing to Michigan.

Anderson is a 4-star shooting guard currently attending IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL., and was one of the players who Dawkins made a strong push for.

The Texas-native started his high school career with Trinity Christian Academy before joining the powerhouse Ascenders in the Sunshine State.

He is also the brother of former Texas Tech star Christian Anderson, who spent two seasons with the Red Raiders before being drafted No. 18 overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2026 NBA Draft.

He was also the lone potential UCF recruit who visited prior to the TCU game in the conference opener, taking in the campus by himself.

“I really liked the program and the plan they have for me," Anderson said about his visit. "The school has a great environment with a great coaching staff”

Ultimately, Anderson opted to join the reigning National Champions in Ann Arbor, looking to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, former Texas Tech star Christian Anderson.

Anderson was one of the top players in the Big 12 during his time with the Red Raiders before being drafted No. 18 overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Christian was also a Michigan commit at one point and time, but transferred to Texas Tech after former Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard was let go.

Now, Lucai will be put in a similar situation, joining the post-Dusty May Michigan program.

Following May's decision to join the Dallas Mavericks at the NBA level, Michigan hired Mike Boynton Jr. to a two-year deal.

Boynton was May's top assistant during last season's National Championship run, and has retained a lot of incoming commits and transfer portal additions despite the coaching movement.

For UCF, the battle on the recruiting trail continues, with the Knights hosting multiple talented high schoolers against TCU.