April 13, 2005
ORLANDO - UCF men's basketball head coach Kirk Speraw announced Wednesday that Jermaine Taylor has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Golden Knights. Taylor, a 6-4 swing player from Tavares, Fla., will join the UCF program next fall.
As a senior at Tavares High School, he averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds and five assists per game. Following the season, he earned a spot on the Florida Class 3A All-State First Team.
"We are excited to have Jermaine join the UCF basketball family," said Speraw. "He is an outstanding young man who will develop into a terrific player. Jermaine will be a key component in helping our team make the transition into Conference USA."
Taylor finished second in the Florida Class 3A Player of the Year voting. The Florida Athletic Coaches Association named him the Class 3A-District 8 Player of the Year.
A multi-sport standout at Tavares, Taylor excelled on the football field as a senior, earning all-county honors after finishing the season with 481 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
He also runs track for Tavares and is one Florida's top high jump performers. Taylor is the cousin of former UCF men's basketball standout Darryl Davis, who played at the school from 1991-95.
In 2004-05, the Golden Knights went 24-9 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season after claiming the Atlantic Sun Championship title. Next year, the team moves to Conference USA.