Oct. 24, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - For sophomore forward A.J. Tyler (Palm Harbor, Fla.), the wait is finally over. After sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, Tyler is ready to contribute for the Knights.
In his first year at UCF after leaving Clemson, Tyler spent 2007-08 as a member of the Knights' scout team. He worked hard each day in practice, striving to not only improve as an individual, but to make UCF's first team better as well.
With the start of the 2008-09 regular season less than a month away, Tyler is looking forward to taking the floor with his UCF teammates.
"I am extremely excited," he said. "I have been anticipating it for a while and it finally feels like it is here. It is a great feeling getting back on the court, actually getting to play in games and being able to contribute."
Tyler appeared in 30 games as a freshman at Clemson, averaging 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in five minutes per contests. He saw time in 11 Atlantic Coast Conference games and played in all five of the Tigers' contests in the 2007 postseason National Invitation Tournament. At 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, Tyler will bring versatility to UCF's frontcourt.
"I can play inside and out. I have been working with the coaches a lot to become a post presence. At the same time, I can knock down the outside shots. I have been working on the pick and pop and pick and rolls," Tyler said.
Tyler will make his UCF debut on Nov. 16 when the Knights open the campaign against North Carolina A&T at the new UCF Arena. The Knights are slated to play 16 contests at the state-of-the-art facility, including a matchup with cross-state foe USF on Dec. 6 and a Conference USA game against national power Memphis on Jan. 10.
Season tickets are currently on sale. To order your season tickets today, and to learn more about the Fastbreak Club and other premium seating opportunities at the new UCF Arena, call the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Notes: A handful of reporters visited the Knights' practice court Friday evening to talk to several Knights... The inaugural UCF Postgame Madness is set for Nov. 8 at the new UCF Arena. At the free event, fans will get to select their season ticket seat location and also watch the Knights participate in an inter-squad scrimmage. The event will start at the conclusion of the UCF-Southern Miss game.