There will be changes to UCF basketball’s roster ahead of the 2017 season with a new coach in Johnny Dawkins taking over and the team heading into this new era of the team.
With any coaching change there are always some changes to the roster. Despite the admonition that players a committing to a school and not a coach, inevitably student athletes will look for opportunities where they will play and they will be comfortable. Or they may be looking to take advantage of an extra year of eligibility in a situation that might be more stable.
The Knights will likely be somewhat involved in the transfer market to shape up their roster — Dawkins said he would honor commitments and signings from Donnie Jones’ recruiting class in 2016. Dawkins is still getting himself set up and establishing his program.
Change is inevitable though and the first shoe dropped earlier this week with junior forward Matt Williams’ reported transfer.
Williams emerged in the middle of the season thanks to B.J. Taylor’s injury and became one of UCF’s most reliable shooters. He averaged 8.1 points per game and posted a 48.9 percent effective field goal percentage. He was one of the Knights’ best 3-point shooters and that presence will sorely be missed even with Taylor returning.
Williams has junior eligibility but intends to graduate from UCF after the spring semester and transfer somewhere for his graduate studies and final year of eligibility.
How Dawkins plans to field a team next year is certainly going to be a big question for this team moving forward.
They did get some reinforcements of a kind in an incoming transfer. Although it might have more sentimental value.
Dawkins’ son, Aubrey Dawkins, was granted his release from Michigan and intends to play for his father at UCF.
“This was not an easy decision, however, the chance to play for my father is a special opportunity for me and my family,” Aubrey Dawkins said in a press release. “Coach (John) Beilein and Michigan took a chance on me and that is something I will never forget. I want to thank all the coaches, staff and especially the U-M fans for making my time in Ann Arbor truly special. Go Blue.”
Aubrey Dawkins averaged 6.7 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game in 22 starts in 66 appearances across two seasons for Michigan. He had a consistent role for the Wolverines throughout the year, but saw his playing time dwindle as the season went on to the end.
Dawkins is a 6-foot-6 guard who shot a 61.4 percent effective field goal percentage. It would appear Dawkins is going to be able to contribute to the team next year if he is eligible to play or contribute when he becomes eligible to play for the Knights.
These are just some of the first moves and maneuverings the team is going to make with Dawkins. The first year may see some growing pains as Dawkins reshapes this roster some. But he has plenty of tools to do so.
Losing Williams undoubtedly will hurt. That is a need and a hole the team will have to fill for next season. Getting in a player like Dawkins may help lessen that blow though.
