Oct. 8, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF men's basketball head coach Kirk Speraw announced on Monday that center Will Bakanowsky (Gibbsboro, N.J./Camden Catholic) has been granted an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA and will play for the Knights during the 2007-08 season. The Knights open the regular season on Nov. 11 against Nevada in the inaugural game at the new UCF Arena.
Bakanowsky appeared in 89 games with the Knights from 2002-05. He missed the 2005-06 campaign due to an injury. The 6-foot-9 post player graduated from UCF in the spring of 2006.
As a junior, he made 26 starts and averaged 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds. He shot 40.3 percent that season from 3-point range. Bakanowsky has not seen game action since the 2005 NCAA Tournament, when he scored 15 points and added seven boards against Connecticut.
"Will has a great love for the game of basketball and we are excited about his return," said Speraw. "He is a tremendous young man who represents all that is right with college athletics. Lisa Danner and the UCFAA compliance office did an excellent job working with the NCAA and we are very fortunate that Will now has the opportunity to be a student-athlete again."
Bakanowsky is currently pursuing his master's degree at UCF. After graduating from UCF, he taught at a middle school in Jacksonville. Bakanowsky is currently teaching at a middle school in the Orlando area.
In his first stint with the Knights, Bakanowsky was a part of some of most successful squads in program history. UCF won 70 games from 2002-05. He is one of only six players in school history to appear in two NCAA Tournament games.
Bakanowsky made 29 starts in three campaigns with the Knights. He drained 51 3-pointers during that span and also blocked 46 shots.
Speraw's team will play 16 regular-season contests at the 10,000-seat new UCF Arena this year. UCF went 22-9 last year and finished second in only its second campaign in Conference USA.
The Knights' first practice of the year is slated for Friday evening.
Season tickets are currently available by calling 407-UCF-1000. One lucky season ticket holder for the upcoming 2007-08 men's basketball campaign will get to drive home from the new UCF Arena in a brand new Mazda CX-9, courtesy of Classic Mazda, the presenting sponsor of this year's season ticket drive. UCF basketball fans that purchase two season tickets for this year's inaugural schedule at the new UCF Arena will be entered into a drawing to win the Mazda CX-9.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.