Tyler Coons is one of five freshmen on the UCF roster this year. The guard grew up in the area, only about a 20-minute drive from campus. He had scholarship offers to play college ball out of state, but instead felt the most comfortable at UCF.

"It felt right, staying here with the great coaching staff and all the great players," Coons said. "I played against some of the players a few times in AAU and felt it was the right place for me."

Attending The First Academy in Orlando, Coons still goes back to visit his old school. He feels like a local celebrity as everyone that he knows at the school talks about coming out and supporting the UCF men's basketball team. It's an amazing feeling for Coons knowing that he gets to play in front of his family and friends.

"Every time I go back to my high school, the people that watched me in high school are talking about how they are going to come and support UCF now," Coons explained.

Coons sees his role on this team as just helping out his teammates and doing all the little things. All Coons really wants to do this year is help the Knights win. He has seen time in four games so far, including the season-opening victory at USF.

During his freshman year there are two things that Coons would like to work on. He mentioned that both his ball-handling and shooting can improve in order for him to be a greater player.