Top UCF Basketball Players to Watch in the 2025-26 Season
The UCF Knights men’s basketball team is gearing up for the 2025-26 season, with their opening game set for Monday at 8 p.m. They will face Hofstra in Orlando. This season presents a notable challenge, as the Knights are rebuilding after losing all of their scoring from the previous year. To address this gap, head coach Johnny Dawkins has added 13 new players, including 11 transfers from other programs.
Top UCF Basketball Players to Watch in the 2025-26 Season
Among the new recruits, several players are expected to make a significant impact this season. Here are three standout players to keep an eye on:
Riley Kugel
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6’5″
- Previous School: Mississippi State
- Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Riley Kugel returns home after spending time at Florida and Mississippi State. Known for his scoring ability, he averaged approximately 750 minutes on the court each season. During two exhibition games, Kugel showcased his talent by scoring 22 and 21 points against Duke and LSU, respectively. He also displayed rebounding skills, tying for the team lead with seven rebounds against Duke.
Jamichael Stillwell
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6’8″
- Previous School: UW-Milwaukee
- Awards: All-Horizon League First Team, Conference Newcomer of the Year
Jamichael Stillwell is considered one of Dawkins’ top acquisitions. He averaged a double-double last season with 13 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. In exhibition games, Stillwell showed resilience despite occasional shooting struggles, leading the team in rebounds against both Duke and LSU.
Themus Fulks
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6’2″
- Previous School: UW-Milwaukee
- Awards: All-Horizon League Second Team
Themus Fulks also joins from UW-Milwaukee. He averaged 14.6 points per game last season and demonstrated strong playmaking skills. Although he struggled with shooting during exhibitions, Fulks excelled at facilitating, leading the team in assists. He aims to elevate both his performance and that of his teammates this season.
With these promising players, the Knights look to build a competitive team for the upcoming season. Fans can anticipate an exciting start to the 2025-26 campaign as UCF seeks to establish its new identity on the court.
