Another former UCF Men’s Basketball player is starting a professional career this fall, as forward Nick Banyard signed to play in Japan with Aomori Watts.
Banyard joined the Knights before the 2016-17 season as a fifth-year senior, transferring from Illinois State. He played in every game last year (22 starts) and averaged 6.2 points per game. His 6.0 rebounds per game was good enough for third on the team and he led the way in three-point percentage. His mark of 47.1 percent is the fourth best for a single season in school history.
Last year’s UCF team turned in one of the best seasons in program history, finishing 24-12 (11-7 AAC). The Knights advanced all the way to the NIT Final Four before falling to TCU at Madison Square Garden in New York. Banyard played a key role throughout the season, scoring in double-figures nine times while also contributing some clutch shots, such as his game-winning buzzer-beater at UMass.
Banyard is the third senior from last year’s team to continue a playing career in the professional ranks. Tank Efianayi will be playing in Ukraine, while the program’s all-time leader in three-pointers, Matt Williams, will be with the Miami Heat.
