The UCF men's basketball team has plenty to look forward to in 2017-18 with the return of starters B.J. Taylor, Tacko Fall and A.J. Davis, but unlike last year; head coach Johnny Dawkins will have a full slate of scholarship players in year two at the helm. UCFKnights.com will spend the summer giving fans a look at some of the new Knights for the 2017-18 season.
DAYON GRIFFIN
HT: 6-4 | WT: 205
SHOOTING GUARD
Following an impressive career at St. Petersburg High School, Dayon Griffin spent two seasons at Louisiana Tech. As a sophomore in 2015-16, Griffin started 29 games and was third on the team in scoring with 11.3 points per game. He led the Bulldogs in three-pointers with 56 and was eighth in Conference USA with 1.36 steals per game.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH DAYON GRIFFIN
What was it like having to sit out last season after transferring?
DG: I've never experienced anything like that. It was difficult. We were doing all the same work on the court and in the weight room, and then not being able to play in the games, sometimes it felt like I didn't know what I was working for. Now, it feels good to have done all that work. Now I know the system, know what Coach Dawkins wants, so it helped me out.
What motivation did you take to practice every day?
DG: We looked at practice like our game. We didn't have any games, so we had to treat practice like a game. We knew we had to go hard at the guys who were playing to help them get better. For them to come to practice and know it wasn't going to be easy, it helped them stay locked in.
In what ways did you improve in the year of practicing?
DG: I got better at decision making with the ball, my ball handling, and learning the defense. I learned a lot of little things about the game, things I hadn't picked up on before. Coach Dawkins has a big emphasis on defense I have learned a lot since getting here.
What did you learn from Matt Williams?
DG: Matt taught me to always get in the gym and work. He is relentless in the way that he works, the way that he shoots. We all know what he can do in terms of shooting, but the main thing I learned from him was how hard to work. No matter what, stay locked in, and I've kept that mindset.
What is something you took from Coach Dawkins during your first year?
DG: Defense wins championships. Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard. That has stuck with me. I know there are a lot of people with talent, but it's hard to put that all together and get where we want to get to. Defense is going to get us there.
What are some of the goals you have for next year?
DG: I want to do all that I can to help this team get to where we want to get. We want to get to the NCAA Tournament. I want to help my team get there, and for us, that's what our plan is, get to the NCAA Tournament.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign are on sale now. Fans looking to purchase new tickets can call (407) 823-1000 or click here: www.ucfknights.com/jointhefamily to secure them today.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news.
