UCF senior Jamichael Stillwell has been named to the Big 12 Starting Five, marking the first time a Knight has received this weekly honor. The recognition highlights five standout performers from across the conference each week. Stillwell earned his spot after posting his second double-double of the season in a win over Pittsburgh, recording 12 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes. His first double-double came earlier against Oakland with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
The Knights recently secured a 77–67 victory over Pittsburgh during the Legends Classic at Daytona Beach’s Ocean Center. UCF outperformed Pitt on the boards, collecting 37 rebounds to Pitt’s 28, and shot 52.5% from the field while limiting their opponent to just under 39%. Riley Kugel was named Legends Classic MVP after scoring 18 points and adding four assists. Themus Fulks matched Kugel with 18 points and hit all three of his attempts from beyond the arc. Stillwell contributed with another double-double performance.
Currently, UCF ranks third nationally in three-point shooting percentage at 47.7%. Riley Kugel leads the team with 16 made three-pointers this season, ranking him third in the Big 12 and placing him among the top shooters nationwide at a rate of 57.1%. Carmelo Pacheco follows closely behind with 13 made threes (fourth in Big 12) and a shooting percentage of 52%, which is among the top in Division I basketball.
Last season, UCF was ranked among national leaders for both three-point attempts per game and total makes, setting a program record by hitting 328 three-pointers during the College Basketball Crown’s opening round. Transfers George Beale Jr. and Carmelo Pacheco both shot above forty percent from long range last year for their previous teams.
UCF also achieved an important road win against Texas A&M on November 14 with an 86-74 result at Reed Arena. Last season, they opened by defeating then No.13/15 Texas A&M inside Addition Financial Arena after overcoming an early deficit—a feat that marked only their eleventh win over a ranked opponent in program history.
Riley Kugel reached his career milestone of scoring over one thousand points during a recent game against Oakland, joining teammates Themus Fulks and Devan Cambridge as members of UCF’s “1K Point Club.”
In another notable performance, twelve different Knights scored during a dominant first half against Florida A&M—a mark not seen since January when facing Kansas State—and recorded their highest number of team assists since December last year.
The Knights began their current campaign with an opening night win over Hofstra (82-78), giving head coach Johnny Dawkins a strong home opener record of nine wins to one loss while leading UCF.
Ten new players debuted for UCF this season in their home arena; several delivered career-best performances as part of what could be one of the strongest offensive teams under Dawkins’ tenure.
