UCF’s Johnny Dawkins eager to meet Big 12 basketball challenge
The thump, thump, thump of basketballs dribbling on a court echoed throughout the second floor of The Venue on UCF’s campus. It’s the first few days of summer and much of the hustle and bustle on this day centers on a basketball camp.
The Knights ‘ basketball offices are down the hall and behind an etched glass door. It’s here where Johnny Dawkins takes a few moments to catch up. On the wall behind him hangs various jerseys in frames, each representing a different moment from his playing days, including one from Duke and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dawkins’ son and former UCF player, Aubrey, stops by to give an update on his talk to the campers.
Last week, UCF began its first season as a member of the Big 12 Conference. It’s an exciting time for many associated with the athletic department. When asked where he’d celebrate the occasion, Dawkins smiled before answering.
“I’ll probably be recruiting,” he said. “I’m excited about the opportunity.”
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Last season
UCF posted a 19-15 record, the seventh under Dawkins, with the Knights making it to the second round of the NIT before losing to host Oregon, 68-54.
“It was a solid season,” said Dawkins, 59. “You play in the NIT, which means you’re one of the top 100 teams in Division I. We finished fairly well, but was that what we wanted to accomplish? No. That wasn’t our standard, of course. But we had some memorable moments as well.”
Dawkins can list a few off the top of his head.
Beating Florida State in the second game of the season (68-54) is one. A week later, the Knights knocked off Oklahoma State (60-56) and Santa Clara (57-50) to claim the Baha Mar Hoops championship in the Bahamas.
In early January, UCF would hang on for a thrilling 107-104 win against Memphis in double-overtime.
“The double-overtime win versus Memphis was a great moment,” Dawkins said. “It was voted the best sports moment on campus.”
UCF went on the road to beat Florida in the first round of the NIT, giving the Knights wins against two in-state rivals.
But there were also times when things didn’t go as well, including a stretch where UCF lost 8 of 10 starting in mid-January.
“That was tough,” said Dawkins. “We were battling some injuries. You know me, no excuses, but you have C.J. Walker out and Darius Johnson goes down; guys you were counting on in a tough conference.”
Injuries were a big part of the team’s struggles, with the Knights forced to experiment with seven different starting lineups.
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Transfer market
The offseason has its challenges, with the roster undergoing a massive makeover.
Lahat Thioune (South Dakota), Brandon Suggs (New Mexico State), Tyem Freeman (Kent State), Jayhlon Young (Memphis) and P.J. Edwards (Bowling Green) left via the transfer market. UCF’s top scorer, Taylor Hendricks, was a first-round NBA draft pick of the Utah Jazz, while guard Kelly and forward Michael Durr exhausted their eligibility.
Guard Ithiel Horton recently entered the transfer portal and committed to Texas.
The transfer market has changed how coaches handle roster management. A program can flip a roster in one offseason, something Dawkins saw coming several seasons ago.
“I’m amazed. It’s happened so fast,” he said. “You have to adjust and we have to lean into it because it’s the way the world works. If you don’t embrace it, you’ll be lost.”
Dawkins added four transfers of his own, including guards Jaylin Sellers (Ball State) and Shemarri Allen (Missouri-Kansas City), center Ibrahima Diallo (San Jose State) and forward Omar Payne (Jacksonville).
“We’ve done a great job at UCF of always embracing and being bold about how we do things,” Dawkins said. “We have to continue that. It’s why we’ve been successful here.”
Turnover is a symptom of the business. It’s the nature of the sport.
“We have several new players and we had several new players last year. Nothing’s changed there,” he said. “What you want to do when you build a team is get guys in here who are all about winning. That’s what we look for, guys that are all about winning as a team first. We found some guys that fit that mold. It’s our job to get the team and move them in the right direction.”
But is it sustainable to replace a handful of players each season?
“This is where my pro experience comes in handy because having played in NBA, rosters were always turning over with drafts and trades,” said Dawkins. “So I’m accustomed to this.”
Dawkins believes allowing coaching staffs more time with players in the summer months has helped teams develop chemistry.
“Nothing will ever be enough, but it’s a start,” he adds.
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Taylor Hendricks
One player not returning is Hendricks, whose departure paid off when selected ninth overall. The 6-foot-8 power forward became the highest Knights player drafted.
Dawkins was on hand with the 19-year-old at Barclays Center in Brooklyn last month.
“It was the first time for me being at the draft since I was drafted,” Dawkins said. “It’s an amazing moment for him, his family, and UCF.
“It brought back so many memories. I knew what he was going through when every call was being made because I went through it. I was reliving that experience with him, which was amazing.”
Hendricks’ selection provides the program with a huge boost, showing younger players anything is possible.
“We’ve always said that, but now you have actual proof,” said Dawkins. “Everyone else has seen it and realizes it can happen, which continues to give us more credibility.”
Credibility helps, especially with the move to the Big 12.
Dawkins is no stranger regarding what to expect from a Power Five league. He played at Duke (ACC) and later was an assistant coach with the Blue Devils under legendary Mike Krzyzewski before becoming head coach at Stanford (Pac-12).
“I’m excited to be a part of the first staff to help lead our team into the Big 12,” he said. “I’m excited to take my teams there and have them experience it. It will be all new and new challenges on a nightly basis. Every single game, every single team is an unbelievable matchup.
“I’m there for those moments and want my teams to embrace those as well.”
