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Could UCF Knights Coach Johnny Dawkins Start Three Guards This Season?
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- Could UCF Knights Coach Johnny Dawkins Start Three Guards This Season?
(IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect)
The UCF men's basketball program has an opportunity to make March Madness in back-to-back seasons for the first time in it's history, but head coach Johnny Dawkins once again has his hands full.
After forming an all-new team last offseason, Dawkins experienced a lot of roster turnover this year, but does have some talent returning.
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Riley Kugel is looking like he will be granted a fifth year of eligibility, while junior big man John Bol is projected to once again be UCF's starting big man.
With Kugel bolstering Dawkins' backcourt as the team's leading scorer from last season, and Dior Johnson returning for his second stint, they will likely headline the starting guard spots.
But, sophomore guard Lewis Walker deserves consideration as well, presenting the possibility for Dawkins to start three guards.
In UCF's 85-81 defeat against LSU , Walker shined, scoring 13 points while adding five rebounds and a block.
He looked extremely comfortable with the ball in his hands, getting downhill for rim finishes and free-throw line opportunities.
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The 6-foot-6 combo guard averaged 18.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game with North Carolina A&T last season, while earning All-CAA Third Team and All-Rookie Team honors.
He finished second in the CAA in free throws made (187) and field goal percentage (50.8), demonstrating the ability to get to the cup and finish through contact.
Walker joined the Aggies after redshirting at Massachusetts in the 2024-2025 season, bursting onto the scene with five straight games of 16 points or more to open the season.
This was just the beginning for Walker, who posted multiple high-octane scoring performances, including two 33-point performances.
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The first explosion came in mid-January against William & Mary, as Walker seemingly couldn't miss, knocking down 11-of-14 (78.6%) shot attempts.
Walker got in a rhythm early and carried it throughout the game, attacking the rim and stepping out for three 3-pointers.
Just nine days later, Walker matched his season-high of 33, once again posting an efficient shooting night (9-15). Walker also displayed great versatility, pulling in seven rebounds and dishing four assists.
Walker's rebounding was impressive throughout the season, as the Winston-Salem product had multiple games of double-digit rebounds, including an 18 point, 14 rebound double-double against North Carolina Central.
His size and rebounding ability for his position is one of the main reasons why a Walker-Kugel-Johnson trio in the starting unit could work, providing Dawkins with a versatile player to coach up.
