Photo Credit: Paul Asay/SLC Stars
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – With at least 13 Knights playing professionally during the 2016-17 season, the UCF men's basketball program continues to be well represented both in the United States and around the world.
Domestically, UCF's lone Division I All-American Jermaine Taylor excelled once again in the NBA's Development League. Playing 45 games for the Salt Lake City Stars, Taylor averaged 14.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game, while knocking down 67 three-pointers.
He scored 20 or more points 10 times during the 2016-17 campaign, including 29-point outings against the Northern Arizona Suns on Nov. 29 and in a win over the Austin Spurs on Mar. 5.
The Knights' all-time leading rebounder, Keith Clanton dominated the boards in one of the newest and most prestigious professional leagues in the world. Playing for PAOK in Greece, Clanton averaged 10.7 rebounds per game and recorded six double-doubles in the new Champions League.
In Greece's A1 League, Clanton was named Player of the Week twice this season. On Nov. 8 he scored 17 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and then on Feb. 17 he went for 15 points and 11 boards for PAOK.
Another former UCF big man, Dwight McCombs, has dominated the Liga Nacional in Chile this season. McCombs is averaging 21.3 points per game, and ranks second in the league with 12.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game.
McCombs was named the Liga Nacional Player of the Week four times and has led Talca to the Championship round. Two of his best outings were a 32-point, 19-rebound performance in a win over Valdivia and a 36-point, 17-board game when Talca topped Los Leones.
Finally, a 10-year veteran of professional basketball now, Josh Peppers is still enjoying success on the court. Since leaving UCF he has played his entire career in Japan, and been with Fukuoka Rizing since 2014.
This season Peppers has led his squad to a 32-4 record and ranks second in the league averaging 17.2 points per game. He has earned Player of the Week honors twice, one of which was following a dominating 31-points, 15-rebound performance in a win over Tokyo Big Blue.
KNIGHTS IN THE PROS (2016-17)
Staphon Blair – Crelan Okapi Aalstar (Belgium)
Keith Clanton – PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece)
Shaheed Davis – Akademik Bulteks 99 PLOVDIV (Bulgaria)
Gary Johnson – VGL Astrostars Bochum (Germany)
Dwight McCombs – Club Deportes Espanol Talca (Chile)
Roberto Morentin – Union Dax-Gamarde (France)
Lavell Payne – Centauros de Chihuahua (Mexico)
Josh Peppers – Fukuoka Rizing (Japan)
Isaac Sosa – Atleticos De San German (Puerto Rico)
Tristan Spurlock – Rayos de Hermosillo (Mexico)
Isaiah Sykes – Hebeisen White Wings Hanau (Germany)
Jermaine Taylor – Salt Lake City Stars (D-League)
Daiquan Walker – Nevezis Kedainiai (Lithuania)
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