Ask many people in the college basketball world, and they will tell you that it is only a matter of time before Central Florida is a perennial contender in Conference-USA.
New head coach Donnie Jones and the Knights took another step towards that goal on Saturday, as Virginia transfer Tristan Spurlock chose UCF as his next destination.
Spurlock, who averaged 2.4 points in 13 appearances last season, picked the Knights over Notre Dame, Providence, South Florida, George Washington and others.
“I loved the area and the coaching staff was great, too, and I will be able to play the wing,” said Spurlock, a top-100 recruit out of high school who left the Cavaliers after his freshman year. “I think I can help them on the wing position and really add some talent and more depth to the team.”
Spurlock was unhappy with his role at Virginia, where he was expected to be more of a power forward as opposed to playing on the perimeter, where he is more comfortable. The up-tempo style UCF plays, as well as Spurlock’s relationship with Jones and the coaching staff, were the biggest factors in his decision.
Being in Orlando for the next four years certainly was not a drawback for Spurlock.
“I loved the campus!” he said. “The weather helps too.”
After Spurlock sits out next season, he will join a deep and talented roster that includes double-figure scorer Isaac Sosa, double-double threat Keith Clanton, former Oregon transfer Josh Crittle, diminutive passer A.J. Rompza, incoming freshmen Isaiah Sykes and Jarvis Davis and, of course, Marcus Jordan, who Spurlock knows from playing on camp teams together.
The 6-foot-8 Virginia native is looking forward to his new opportunity.
“UVA was a good chapter in my life but UCF will be a better one."
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