After getting back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, the UCF Knights are trying to make a splash for next basketball season. Head coach Johnny Dawkins found a formula that worked for the Knights this season, but towards the end, UCF just ran out of gas.
When the Knights' outside shooting went cold, there was not enough firepower in the paint to help fill in the gaps, and a lot of that came from trying to fill the shoes of former UCF freshman Moustapha Thiam.
The star freshman entered the transfer portal after just one season in Orlando, opting to head elsewhere in the Big 12 with Cincinnati. Well, apparently that move didn't work out how Thiam wanted, as he is back in the portal and being looked at as one of the top centers available.
Thiam has shown interest in some blue blood programs like Duke, Kansas, and UConn, but apparently, he seems to be interested in a reunion with the Knights, as Jeff Goodman reported a list of schools Thiam has shown interest in, and UCF falls in there.
In addition to St. John's, Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam is also considering the following, per source:
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 13, 2026
UConn
Gonzaga
Arkansas
Duke
Kansas
Michigan State
Texas A&M
Tennessee
UCF https://t.co/miMHbO4fD6
A reunion with Moustapha Thiam could be the missing piece Johnny Dawkins needs
Johnny Dawkins has already received some good news from the portal, as well as from returning players from the 2025-2026 roster. The latest news comes from Carmelo Pacheco making his return for another season in Orlando, but also Dawkins landing the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, Isaiah Malone from FGCU.
The return of Thiam would be huge for Dawkins, as UCF already knows what it can get from the 7-foot-2 center. The relationship and familiarity with the program and how Dawkins coaches is there with Thiam, and while UCF may not be able to offer as much money as other big schools, they could offer development and a newfound ability to win.
UCF has taken the steps in the last two seasons to bring the basketball program back to the forefront in Orlando. After quite a few years of struggle since the stellar 2019 season, UCF was back in the big dance in 2026, but sadly exited in the First Round.
Thiam could be the extra spark UCF needs to really compete in the NCAA Tournament, giving the Knights the inside presence they missed this past season dearly. The Knights are losing critical scoring numbers with Themus Fulks declaring for the NBA Draft, but Dawkins proved last season he can build through the transfer portal, and Thiam could be the next piece.
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