July 17, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - All-Conference USA players Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) and Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) headline a list of 10 returning players for the UCF women's basketball team in 2009-10. Led by third-year head coach Joi Williams, the reigning C-USA Coach of the Year, the Knights will be looking to build on a successful 2008-09 season in which the squad won the C-USA Tournament.
BUILD ON THE `SHIP
? The Knights won four games in four days in New Orleans to claim the C-USA tournament title last March, becoming only the second team in league history to accomplish that feat.
? With a tremendous turnaround, UCF won 15 of its last 21 games a season ago. The team finished 17-17 after a 2-11 start.
? The conference tournament title earned UCF its third berth in the NCAA Tournament. As a 14-seed in the Oklahoma City Regional, the Knights fell 85-80 to third-seeded North Carolina.
YOUNG TO OLD
? As the 2008-09 season became the 2009-10 season, UCF went from having one of the youngest rosters in the country to having a roster filled with nine upperclassmen.
? The Knights had only three starts last season by upperclassmen and finished the season with zero upperclassmen on the active roster.
? Senior Jessica Hall becomes eligible after sitting out the 2008-09 season after transferring from Memphis. The guard, who is enrolled in graduate school at UCF, brings leadership and experience to the Knights' backcourt.
CANNONBALL
? Junior Emma Cannon returns as a C-USA Player of the Year candidate.
? During her sophomore campaign, Cannon averaged 15.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per contest in being named to the C-USA all-conference first-team.
? Her 393 rebounds broke the school record at UCF and second all-time for a single season in conference history. She also ranked fifth nationally in rebounds per game.
? Cannon was named the C-USA tournament MVP after averaging 14.3 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. She shattered the tournament rebounding record with 58 rebounds.
WILEY VET
? Junior Chelsie Wiley emerged as one of the best shooters and players in the league in 2008-09.
? After a rough start, Wiley hit double figures 21 times in UCF's last 26 games of the season. She also scored 20 or more 11 times and averaged 17.3 points per game during that stretch.
? Named to the C-USA All-Tournament team after averaging a team-high 15.5 points per game in New Orleans.
? Wiley will enter her junior season having knocked down 88 career three-pointers.
AISHAN INVASION
? Sophomore Aisha Patrick made quite an impact as a freshman, starting 33 games and leading UCF in minutes per game (33.3).
? The defensive stopper was counted on in most games to guard the opposition's best player, and tallied 75 steals for the season.
? A Rockledge, Fla., native, Patrick averaged 10 points per game and hit 18-of-32 shots from the field in the C-USA tournament.
GET TO THE POINT
? Joi Williams will have numerous viable options at the point guard position.
? Angelica Mealing started 28 games a year ago at point, averaging 7.6 points and leading the team with 112 assists.
? Marshay White started 28 games at point guard two years ago as a freshman. She averaged 7.2 points per game as a sophomore.
? Hall joins the active roster with experience having started 34 games in two seasons at Memphis.
? Highly-touted recruit Gevenia Carter will also be looked at to contribute for the Knights.
RECORD WATCH
? Cannon ranks second all-time at UCF in double-doubles (33) and rebound average (10.2). With 654 rebounds, she ranks third all-time and just 22 boards away from second place.
? With 88 career threes, Wiley ranks fifth all-time. Francine Houston is the all-time leader with 213.
? Cannon and Wiley are on the verge of the 1,000-point club with 878 and 755 points respectively.
TOUGH SLATE
? UCF, who played one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules a season ago, will be at it again with Notre Dame, Alabama, Washington and Florida State expected to be on the schedule.
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.