Fulks Earns Big 12 Starting Five Nod Following Eighth Conference Win

ORLANDO – UCF men’s hoops’ Themus Fulks earned a spot on the Big 12 Starting Five for the third time this season, the conference announced Monday afternoon.

The recognition follows the Knights’ eighth conference victory, their most since joining the Big 12 ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. Fulks played a pivotal role in strengthening UCF’s at-large NCAA Tournament résumé, leading the Knights to key wins over TCU and Utah this past week.

He is joined by Arizona’s Anthony Dell’Orso, BYU’s AJ Dybansta, Cincinnati’s Moustapha Thiam, and Colorado’s Bangot Dak.

Got it done in Salt Lake ☑️ pic.twitter.com/yVbYryim7o

— UCF Men’s Hoops 🌴 (@UCF_MBB) February 22, 2026

Across the two victories, Fulks averaged 19.0 points and 5.5 assists per game. He delivered the defining moment Saturday night at Utah, knocking down a pair of game-winning free throws to cap a 24-point performance and secure one of UCF’s most significant wins of the season, all without the Knights’ leading scorer, Riley Kugel, in the lineup.

Fulks has established himself as one of the most efficient point guards in the country, ranking second in the Big 12 and 13th nationally with 6.7 assists per game (174 assists) across 26 games. The Winston-Salem native stands just 10 shy of breaking the program’s single-season assist record of 183, set by Sinua Phillips in 1991-92. Additionally, he has directly contributed 363 points himself and another 417 through his assists, giving him responsibility for 780 of UCF’s 2,117 total points. That means he has accounted for an impressive 36.8 percent of the Knights’ total scoring production this season.

 

Fulks’ 24-point performance against the Utes moved him into a tie for the team lead in scoring, as he and Riley Kugel now average 14.0 points per game. Jordan Burks follows at 13.0, underscoring UCF’s balanced offensive production.

With the weekend result, the Knights improved to 19 total wins, the fastest the program has reached that total since their 2019 NCAA Tournament run. UCF now stands one win away from securing consecutive 20-win seasons.

Fulks and the Knights return to action Tuesday, Feb. 24, closing out their western road swing with an 11 PM EST matchup against the No. 19 BYU Cougars. The contest will be key in postseason implications, as both teams enter the night at 8-6 in conference play. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 or you can follow along on 96.9 The Game using the link here.  

SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
UCF basketball single-game and season tickets are on sale now. Be sure to catch all the action at Addition Financial Arena as Big 12 play heats up in Orlando. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office at (407) 823-1000 or online here.

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.