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UCF Ranked No. 60 Overall Incoming Transfer Class
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- UCF Ranked No. 60 Overall Incoming Transfer Class
(IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect)
As the regular season rapidly approaches for UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins and his squad, the Knights are once again being underestimated in most conference projections.
But, the team has added some significant talent through the portal, and Dawkins has much more returning talent than last year.
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On Thursday, JPR Scouting ranked the top 100 incoming transfer portal classes, with UCF coming in at No. 60.
Alongside UCF's leading scorer from last season, Riley Kugel , junior center John Bol and 3-point sharpshooter Carmelo Pacheco are set to return.
This is a good foundation for Dawkins to build around, while he has also brought in significant backcourt depth through the portal.
Arturo Dean and Cayden Vasko , two of the Knights' earliest acquisitions, were recently named UCF's two captains.
Vasko, who spent last season with Wofford, is a very versatile and unique player.
At 6-foot-6, Vasko is a bigger guard with great court vision, serving as a facilitator and floor general.
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Last year, he earned All-SoCon Third Team honors, led the Terriers in assists and had the second most steals on the team.
Dean is the likely starting point guard, providing the Knights with a veteran presence and experience playing in the Big 12.
He joined the team in last December, but it was too late in the season for him to participate.
During his 2023-24 season at FIU, Dean led all of Division I in steals (3.35 per game) before serving as a critical rotational guard for the Cowboys two seasons ago.
Dean joins UCF after two years at Florida International and one year at Oklahoma State.
Dior Johnson is another huge get through the portal, as the former blue chip high school recruit announced he would be returning to the program for a second stint.
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Johnson recorded multiple 30-point and 40-point performances throughout his 20 games played at Tarleton State, while shooting efficiently from all three levels.
In the front court, Isaiah Malone is an in-state get from Florida Gulf Coast, who should help Bol anchor the interior of the UCF defense.
Malone won the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year award last season, recording 64 blocks and 21 steals.
He was extremely efficient from the field as well, shooting 59.2% and taking high-level shots.
As Bol continues to grow and get more comfortable on the offensive end, Malone will be a great addition.
These key additions will be big parts of Dawkins' effort to repeat March Madness appearances for the first time in his coaching career.
