The UCF Knights are off to a scorching 8-1 start - their best under head coach Johnny Dawkins - and they’ve done it without four key players from last year’s roster: Jaylin Sellers, Mikey Williams, Keyshawn Hall, and Moustapha Thiam. All four transferred out during the offseason, and while UCF hasn’t missed a beat so far, it’s worth checking in on how those former Knights are faring in their new homes.
Let’s break it down player by player.
Jaylin Sellers - Providence
Sellers didn’t get much of a runway at UCF last season, appearing in just three games due to injury. But now that he’s healthy and suiting up for Providence, he’s showing exactly why there was so much buzz around him in the first place.
Through 12 games, Sellers has hit double figures in 11 of them and is averaging 16.3 points per game - second-best on the Friars’ roster. He tied his season-high with 26 points in a recent matchup against Butler, showcasing his ability to take over offensively. Providence is leaning on him early, and he’s delivering with consistency and confidence.
Mikey Williams - Sacramento State
Williams didn’t see much action at UCF, and when he did, it was in a limited role that didn’t allow him to fully showcase his game. Fast forward to this season, and he’s thriving at Sacramento State under head coach Mike Bibby - yes, that Mike Bibby.
Williams has emerged as a key contributor for the Hornets, averaging 14.1 points per game, which ranks third on the team. But it’s his playmaking that’s really stood out.
He leads the team with 5.2 assists per game and adds 1.3 steals per contest - a sign of his two-way impact. After a tough year in Orlando, Williams has clearly found his rhythm in California.
Keyshawn Hall - Auburn
Hall was UCF’s go-to guy last season, leading the team in both scoring (18.8 PPG) and rebounding (7.1 RPG). Now at Auburn - his fourth college stop - he’s taken his game to another level.
Hall is currently leading the Tigers in both points (20.9) and rebounds (8.8) per game, and he’s been the top scorer in four of Auburn’s 11 games so far. He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s helping power a team that’s cracked the national rankings. Hall’s physicality, scoring touch, and experience are making him a force in the SEC.
Moustapha Thiam - Cincinnati
Thiam showed real promise as a freshman for UCF, averaging 10.4 points per game and flashing defensive upside. Now at Cincinnati, he’s still making his mark - just in a slightly different way.
While his scoring has dipped below double digits and his shooting numbers are down across the board, Thiam’s defense has been a bright spot. He’s averaging two blocks and 1.3 steals per game, anchoring the Bearcats on the defensive end even as his offensive game works through some growing pains. The tools are there - he just needs to find his rhythm on the other side of the ball.
The Big Picture
All four former Knights have taken different paths, but each is carving out a role at their new school. Sellers is emerging as a go-to scorer at Providence.
Williams has reinvented himself as a playmaker in Sacramento. Hall is dominating in the SEC.
And Thiam is becoming a defensive anchor at Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, UCF is rolling without them - which says a lot about the depth and development happening in Orlando. But make no mistake: these four transfers are making noise of their own, and they’re just getting started.