Guard Carmelo Pacheco returning to UCF’s basketball team in 2026-27

Carmelo Pacheco is returning to the UCF men’s basketball program for the 2026-27 season.

The 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard averaged 4.6 points and 1.3 rebounds in 31 games this season for the Knights. He was the top 3-point shooter on the team, connecting on 39% (43 of 109) of his shots from beyond the arc.

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The Virginia native shot 40% from the floor and his top scoring game was against Florida A&M when he scored 17 points in a 97-60 win on Nov. 11.

He served as one of the primary backups to shooting guard Riley Kugel this season.

Before joining UCF, Pacheco spent one season with UVA Wise (2023-24) and another with Mount St. Mary’s (2024-25).

Pacheco becomes the first player to announce his decision to return next season.

Guards Chris Johnson and Poopha Warakulnukroh announced their decisions to enter the transfer portal.

UCF is coming off a 21-12 season in which the Knights made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

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The Knights already have to replace five players whose eligibility has expired, led by Themus Fulks, Jamichael Stillwell, Devan Cambridge, George Beale Jr., and Kugel.

Guard Arturo Dean is also joining the roster next season.

Dean played at Oklahoma State in 2024-25, averaging 11 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for the Cowboys. He transferred to UCF last season but was forced to sit out.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/guard-carmelo-pacheco-returning-ucf-123300515.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-11 12:33:00

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