Top-Ranked Center Moustapha Thiam Reclasses to Join Men's Hoops in 2024-25

ORLANDO – The UCF men’s basketball team has signed its highest-rated recruit in program history, adding Moustapha Thiam to the 2024-25 roster, head coach Johnny Dawkins annoucned on Wednesday. Thaim was the top-ranked center in the class of 2025 before reclassifying to join the Knights for the upcoming season.

The 7-2 center is a five-star recruit, the first in program history, with a .9943 composite ranking according to 247Sports. He was ranked as the No. 1 center in his class and the No. 14 overall recruit before reclassifying. Thiam was originally slated to join UCF for the 2025-26 campaign before his reclassification. He cracked into ESPN’s top 100 over the summer of 2023.

Thiam just recently wrapped up his time at 3-Stripes Select Basketball this summer where he averaged 15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game, while shooting 60% from the floor. He earned defensive MVP for his efforts over the nine-game schedule.

Thiam attended DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida after arriving in the United States from Dakar, Senegal.

In his final season at DME Academy, Thiam averaged 14.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.1 blocks and 2.3 assists per contest. He helped his squad reach the semifinals of the Grind Session tournament.

Thiam is the sixth newcomer officially signed to the 2024-25 squad. He is joined by Keyshawn Hall who can play as either a guard or forward and averaged north of 16.5 points per game last season. Rokas Jocius, JJ Taylor and Benny Williams join Thiam as forwards. Cameron Simpson, a fellow freshman, will join the Knights as a guard ahead of UCF’s second season in the Big 12 Conference.