UCF Knights Men’s Basketball Starts 2025-26 Season Against Hofstra

ORLANDO, Florida – The UCF Knights men’s basketball team will kick off its 2025-26 season on Monday night at 8 p.m. against Hofstra. Following a challenging off-season, where the team lost all its scoring from last year, coach Johnny Dawkins has brought in 13 new players. Out of these newcomers, 11 have transferred from other programs.

Among the transfers is Riley Kugel, a 6-foot-5 guard from Mississippi State, who is set to make a significant impact this season. Kugel, originally from Orlando and a graduate of Dr. Phillips High School, has consistently contributed on the court. During the Knights’ two exhibition games against Duke and LSU, he led the team with 22 points against Duke and 21 points against LSU, also grabbing seven rebounds against Duke, tying his former teammate Jeremy Foumena for the team lead.

Another notable player joining the Knights is Jamichael Stillwell, a 6-foot-8 forward who transferred from Milwaukee. He was named to the All-Horizon League First Team last season and earned the conference’s Newcomer of the Year award. Despite struggling with shooting during the exhibition games, where he went 4-for-12 against Duke and hit only one shot against LSU, Stillwell managed to pull down seven rebounds against LSU.

Additionally, Stillwell’s former Milwaukee teammate, Themus Fulks, also transferred to UCF. The 6-foot-2 guard was part of the All-Horizon League Second Team last season, averaging 14.6 points per game. Although he faced shooting difficulties in the exhibition matches, he demonstrated his playmaking abilities by leading the team with nine assists combined between the two games. “I’m trying to push my teammates, and it’s about doing big things this season,” Fulks stated at Big 12 Media Days.

As the Knights look to redefine themselves this season, both new and returning players will play a pivotal role in shaping their journey. Following a combined effort to recover from last season’s setbacks, UCF is hopeful for a successful start against Hofstra.