Dec. 2, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Dave Noel's professional career is off to a good start. The former Knight has started the first two games of the season for Reno in the National Basketball Association D-League, and had a strong performance in the Bighorns' inaugural win Sunday.
Noel recorded 17 points, eight assists and five rebounds as his expansion team posted a 103-96 road victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He logged 35 minutes and connected on 7-of-8 free throws.
On Nov. 7, the Bighorns selected Noel in the eighth round of the D-League Draft. Noel, who earned All-Conference USA Defensive Team honors a year ago, played for the Knights from 2005-08.
The D-League is the official development league of the NBA and features 16 teams. Sixty former D-League players began the 2008-09 campaign on NBA rosters.
One of the best defensive players in school history, Noel was a key component to UCF's successful transition to Conference USA. In three seasons at UCF after transferring from UNC-Wilmington, the 6-foot-3 Noel averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 boards while shooting 50.1 percent overall. He concluded his career fourth all-time in free-throw percentage (81.2).
As a senior in 2007-08, he ranked second on the team, averaging 13.3 points per game. He scored in double-figures 25 times. Noel led C-USA in 3-point field goal percentage (45.5) and also grabbed 4.2 boards per game. Following the regular season, he was named to the league's all-defensive squad, becoming the first Knight to receive the honor.
Noel started Reno's inaugural game on Nov. 29 and played 14 minutes against the Bakersfield Jam.
After five-consecutive games away from home, the current Knights will return to action on Saturday, hosting cross-state foe USF. Tip-off at the UCF Arena is set for 7 p.m. The first 2,000 students in attendance at the game will receive a free Knightmare t-shirt.
Season tickets, which begin at just $99, are still available. To order your season tickets today, and to learn more about the Fastbreak Club and other premium seating options, contact 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: The Knights returned to Orlando Monday evening after two contests at the Cancun Challenge in Mexico. The squad flew from Cancun to Houston before heading to Orlando... Sophomore guard Taylor Young (Orlando, Fla.) started at point guard in both of UCF's games in Cancun. He averaged 10.0 points and 3.0 boards while in Mexico.