Hustle Points: 7/26

Taylor posts high of 21 during NBA Summer League

Playing for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas last week, UCF alumnus and Tavares native Jermaine Taylor averaged 6.8 points per contest. Taylor, who is the Knights’ all-time leading scorer at the Division I level, had a 21-point effort against Milwaukee during the five-game showcase, which may help in getting the dual-threat shooting guard consideration for a roster spot this fall.

Taylor has played in 65 career NBA games, both for the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings.

Brown returns to staff

Craig Brown, who served as an assistant for the UCF men’s basketball team from 2000-2010, has returned to the program to serve under head coach Donnie Jones as director of operations. Announced on Tuesday, Brown’s responsibilities will include monitoring academic progress of the athletes, organizing travel arrangements, managing the program’s budget and coordinating community service initiatives.

Brown played basketball collegiately for the Florida Gators and spent the past two years broadcasting for the Gator Radio Network, ESPN3 and Bright House Sports Network.

Knights getting respect in Conference USA preseason polls

The UCF Knights football team will not be taken lightly in its final year of competition in Conference USA.

The Knights ran away in a media poll conducted by the Houston Chronicle, receiving 13 first-place votes to win the East Division.

Southern Miss placed second with two first-place votes. Houston was predicted to win the West Division, with SMU and Tulsa not far behind. The media poll was composed of print and radio reporters who regularly cover the league.

The league itself does not do a preseason poll but did announce its Preseason Team as voted upon by the league’s coaches. Four Knights were voted to the squad, tying SMU for the most representatives. Senior defensive back Kemal Ishmael, senior offensive lineman Theo Goins, junior defensive lineman Victor Gray and sophomore kick returner Rannell Hall were selected to the team.

Land recognized for academics

Natalie Land has been named the Conference USA Scholar-Athlete of the Year for softball. Land, who concluded an impressive career with the Knights softball program in the spring, received the award on Monday. 

The award recognizes the top student-athletes in each respective sport in C-USA and is based in academic achievement, athletic achievement and service in the community.

—compiled by Steven Ryzewski