ORLANDO – Ahead of its third season in the Big 12 Conference, UCF Women’s Basketball head coach Sytia Messer, forward Mahogany Chandler-Roberts, center Khyala Ngodu, and guard Leah Harmon will preview the 2025-26 basketball season at Big 12 Media Days on October 21 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Messer and the three Knights will engage with media and broadcast partners throughout the day on Tuesday, with scheduled appearances on ESPNU and ESPN+. UCF will be joined in the morning (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) by players and head coaches from Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, and Texas Tech.
After laying the foundation for a new era in UCF women’s basketball, Coach Sytia Messer enters the upcoming season with momentum and a clear vision. Now, as the Knights prepare for their third year in the Big 12, Messer looks to elevate UCF to new heights on the national stage, building a team that reflects the grit, talent, and competitive spirit.
Chandler‑Roberts enters her sophomore year as a rising force on the roster. In her freshman season, she appeared in 29 games and made nine starts, finishing fifth on the team in rebounds with 102. She posted two double‑digit rebound games, grabbing 10 boards on both Feb. 8 vs. Utah and March 2 vs. Houston, and scored a season‑high eight points in the matchup with the Cougars.
Ngodu is going into her third season with the Knights as the longest tenured player. Ngodu made a massive impact for the Knights during the 2024–25 season, featuring in all but one game. A force on both ends of the floor, she averaged 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 48% from the field. Her defensive presence was felt throughout the Big 12, ranking among team leaders in blocks and steals. Ngodu’s consistency and toughness helped UCF earn key conference wins and establish a strong presence in the paint.
Harmon, a prominent transfer from Miami, will round out UCF’s presence in Kansas City. The sophomore appeared in 23 games for the Hurricanes a season ago, averaging just under three points per game while playing important roles in her first year of collegiate competition. The New Jersey native attended IMG Academy and was tabbed as a five-star recruit by ESPN and the ninth-ranked point guard in the class of 2024.
The Knights are set to open their season on Monday, November 3, against Bethune-Cookman, with tipoff set for 6 p.m. at Addition Financial Arena.