Keyshawn Hall, a standout from both Auburn and UCF, is taking his high-scoring talents to South Florida. The Miami Heat have brought him on board with an Exhibit 10 contract, and now it's up to Hall to make the most of his Summer League minutes to secure a permanent spot on the roster.
Hall's signing is a proud moment for UCF, as he joins the ranks of the 2026 NBA draft class. This contract assures him a place on Miami's Summer League, training camp, and preseason rosters. From now until mid-October, Hall has a golden opportunity to catch the eye of the Heat's coaching staff and front office.
Fans can expect to see Hall make his debut in a Heat jersey on July 10 during the Las Vegas Summer League. The Heat will go head-to-head with Brayden Burries, Nate Ament, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Following that, Miami has a back-to-back matchup against their in-state rivals, the Orlando Magic, on July 11. They'll face the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 13 and wrap up their four-game run against the Toronto Raptors on July 16.
The Exhibit 10 contract should provide Hall with significant playing time, allowing him to showcase his scoring and rebounding abilities. Last season, while playing for the Auburn Tigers in the SEC, Hall averaged an impressive 19.3 points and 7.1 rebounds.
His scoring ranked him fifth in the conference, just behind notable players like Philadelphia 76ers guard Labaron Philon and Sacramento Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. His rebounding prowess, ranking eighth in the SEC, is remarkable for a 6-foot-6 forward.
Before his time at Auburn, Hall made waves at UCF during the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 18.8 points and 7.1 rebounds. He led the conference in scoring and was ninth in rebounding, playing all 33 games for the Knights. Hall's standout performance included a memorable 40-point game against the Arizona Wildcats, earning him a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team, the Big 12 Newcomer Team, and the NABC Second Team All-District (Southeast).
Hall initially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft but chose to withdraw and transfer to Auburn for his final collegiate season. Now, he's the fourth former UCF Knight to chase NBA dreams this summer.
Jaylin Sellers has signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, while Themus Fulks and Riley Kugel have joined the Los Angeles Clippers Summer League team. Although they won't face each other in Las Vegas, these players are definitely worth watching for UCF fans, proudly representing the Black and Gold in the NBA.
Miami's renowned "Heat Culture" is known for developing hidden gems, and Hall's size, scoring, and rebounding fit perfectly into this mold. He has the potential to carve out a role on a team that needs to make strategic moves to complement their newly-acquired star, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Keep an eye on Hall as he looks to turn his summer opportunity into a lasting NBA career.
In Other News...
UCF Sent A Clear Message With Its Big 12 Media Day Picks
UCFs selection of four players for Big 12 football media day in Frisco says plenty about where the program sees its leadership core heading into the season. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III, offensive lineman Preston Cushman, defensive back Jayden Bellamy and linebacker Lewis Carter will represent the Knights, a group that mixes a promising new face at quarterback with two defenders expected to carry major responsibilities and a veteran lineman who stands as the lone returning starter up front.
Barnetts presence is especially notable because the transfer from James Madison has not yet taken a snap for UCF, but the staff clearly values the voice he brings to the locker room. On the other side of the ball, Bellamy and Carter are positioned to be central figures for a defense looking to define itself, while Cushmans return gives the offensive line at least one familiar anchor as the Knights head into the Big 12 spotlight. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Just Got Big 12 Validation In A Crucial Strength
UCFs special teams room is drawing some of the kind of attention that usually goes to offense or defense, and Pete Alamar is a big reason why. The Knights have already shown they can lean on that phase of the game, with Jaden Nixon, Antione Jackson and Noe Ruelas all turning in notable moments last season, and now Alamar is getting recognized around the Big 12 as one of the leagues top coordinators. For a program trying to keep stacking small edges, that kind of validation matters because it suggests UCFs kicking and return work is becoming a real weapon, not just a hidden bonus.
Pete Alamar also has real decisions ahead before the season settles in. The kicking job is still unsettled with Texas transfer Will Stone and Noah McGough both in the mix, while the return game is open enough that freshman Kaj Baker, redshirt freshman Taevion Swint and Louisville transfer Duke Watson are all being evaluated for opportunities. Watson is also part of the punt-return conversation, which only adds to the competition as UCF tries to replace last years production without losing the edge that made this unit stand out. [Read more 🡒]
UCF's Pass Rush Future Now Rests With One Rising Assistant
Mike Dawson has already become one of the more important pieces of UCFs defensive identity, even if his title does not always get him the headline attention. The Knights defensive run game coordinator was recently singled out by Matrix Analytical as the Big 12s third-best EDGE coach, a nod that fits with the way his room has developed over time and the pipeline he helped build. Two former UCF EDGE players, Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly, are now in the NFL, giving the program a little more proof that the work done on campus can translate beyond it.
Now the attention shifts to what comes next, because UCF is trying to piece together its EDGE rotation for 2026 with a mix of returners and new transfers under Dawsons guidance. The group is changing, but the expectation around the room is not, and the early signs of how quickly the newcomers settle in could say plenty about how steady the Knights pass rush looks when the next season arrives. [Read more 🡒]