Ngodu Secures All-Big 12 Team Nod as Honorable Mention

ORLANDO - Following a career season from UCF's longest-tenured Knight, junior Khyala Ngodu has solidified herself among the best in the conference, securing an honorable mention nod on the 2026 All-Big 12 Team.

Announced Tuesday afternoon, Ngodu becomes the second Knight to land on the All-Big 12 team since UCF joined the conference in the 2023-24 campaign. Ngodu is one of 34 players to be named to the squad this season and one of 14 honorable mentions.

From the onset last fall, the third-year Knight stepped up into a leadership role as one of just three returners, and more importantly, took a much-anticipated next step in her game on the court. 

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native tallied career-highs in total points (286), points per game (11.0), field goals (111), assists (36), total rebounds (178), rebounds per game (6.8), steals (38) and blocks (31), with the latter four each leading the team this season.

Among Big 12 players, Ngodu ranks sixth in defensive rebounds per game (5.04), 10th in blocks per game (1.19) and 12th in rebounds per game (6.8).

In a conference that showcases some of the best post players in the nation, Ngodu has established herself as a counterpart of the likes of Audi Crooks, Marta Suarez and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, not an outsider.

With three 20-point double-doubles on the season, she is one of four players in the Big 12 to have achieved at least three or more (Crooks: Iowa State, Suarez: TCU, and Olivia Miles: TCU), and is one of 27 in the Power Four to do so. She is also one of 15 in the conference to have attained five or more double-doubles this season.

The junior surpassed double-digit points in 14 of her 26 games, including five performances with 20 or more to her name. At the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout in November of last year, Ngodu authored back-to-back 20-point performances, including a 21-point, 13-rebound outing vs. Wake Forest.

In each of UCF’s Big 12 road wins, it was fitting that the team’s leader was at the center of each triumph. At Arizona on January 10, Ngodu paced the Knights with a remarkable 22-point, 13-rebound game, to go along with five assists and four steals. At Houston in the regular-season finale, the junior scored 20 points to complement 10 rebounds, four steals and four blocks.

Ngodu is the only player in the NCAA this season to turn out at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and four steals in a single game.

As the Knights embark on their Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament first-round contests against Kansas Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET, Ngodu will have another opportunity to showcase why she’s among the best in the conference.

2026 BIG 12 END-OF-YEAR AWARDS

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.