UCF women's basketball has undergone significant changes, with new coach Gabe Lazo taking over after Sytia Messer's departure. Lazo is tasked with rebuilding the roster following several key players entering the transfer portal.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)
Itâs been an offseason of change for the UCF womenâs basketball program.
Miami native Gabe Lazo takes over as the Knightsâ new coach, replacing Sytia Messer, who was let go after four losing seasons.
Lazo faces a complete roster rebuild after more than a handful of players enter the transfer portal, including starters Leah Harmon (15.7 points per game), Khyala Ngodu (11 ppg.) and Summer Yancy (6.5 ppg.).
Here is the latest:
COMMITTED
G KEY ROSEBY
Vitals: 6-0
Resume: Roseby averaged 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 26.5 minutes in 70 games in two seasons at Stephen F. Austin. She shot 42.4% from the field, including 33.8% from 3-point range, earning her a spot on the All-Southland Conference first-team.
Role: The sophomore started all 35 games for the Ladyjacks, who earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Southland Tournament.
Outlook: Roseby becomes the second guard to commit to the Knights this offseason.
G MIKAYLA JOHNSON
Vitals: 6-1
Resume: Johnson averaged 13 points and 5.1 rebounds in 28 games for Pittsburgh last season. She transferred to Pittsburgh for the 2024-25 season, stepping into the starting small guard role and averaging 10.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 32 games with 27 starts.
Role: The junior started 27 of the teamâs 31 games, averaging nearly 32 minutes per game for a Panthers team that finished 8-23, including a 1-17 mark in the ACC.
Outlook: Johnson fills an immediate need at guard, giving the Knights veteran leadership.
LEAVING
G LEAH HARMON
Vitals: 5-6
Resume: The sophomore led UCF in scoring with 15.7 points per game while appearing in just 20 of the Knightsâ 30 games this season.
Role: Harmon was the teamâs starting point guard before injuries limited her time on the court.
C KHYALA NGODU
Vitals: 6-3
Resume: The junior averaged 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in 84 games in three seasons with the Knights. She was seventh in the Big 12 in blocks per game (1.3) and 10th in overall blocks (35).
Role: Ngodu started 24 of the 27 games, averaging a career-high 10.8 points and 7 rebounds per game.
G SUMMER YANCY
Vitals: 5-11
Resume: Yancy spent two seasons at UCF, appearing in 50 games while averaging 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Role: The sophomore started 16 games for the Knights this season, averaging 6.4 points. 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
C SAVANNAH SCOTT
Vitals: 6-4
Resume: Scott arrived at UCF following one season at Auburn, where she averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Tigers.
Role: The sophomore appeared in every game this season, while starting in 5 games, averaging 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds. She scored in double-digits in four games for the Knights.
G KAYANNA COX
Vitals: 5-10
Resume: Cox was another offseason addition for the Knights, arriving after playing one season at SMU, where she averaged 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in just 13 appearances.
Role: The sophomore appeared in 25 games, primarily as a backup, averaging a career-high 3.8 points and 1.2 rebounds.
G LOGAN REED
Vitals: 6-0
Resume: Reed transferred to UCF after redshirting her freshman season at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Role: The redshirt freshman had 8 blocks and 2 field goals and a steal in just 28 minutes of action in 6 games this season.
G AUDREONIA BENSON
Vitals: 5-7
Resume: The Alabama native transferred from Pensacola State College, where she spent her first three seasons before arriving at UCF.
Role: Benson averaged 3.1 points per game in just 104 minutes of action last season. She had a season-high 10 points against Florida A&M on Nov. 21.
G SAMARI BANKHEAD
Vitals: 6-0
Resume: Bankhead signed as part of UCFâs 2026 recruiting class from Los Angeles. She appeared in 30 games for the Knights, averaging 3.6 points and 1.4 rebounds.
Role: Averaged at least 20 minutes in nine games last season as a primary backup.
Who is the new head coach of UCF women's basketball?
Gabe Lazo is the new head coach of the UCF women's basketball team.
Why was Sytia Messer replaced as UCF women's basketball coach?
Sytia Messer was let go after four consecutive losing seasons.
Which key players have entered the transfer portal from UCF women's basketball?
Key players Leah Harmon, Khyala Ngodu, and Summer Yancy have entered the transfer portal.
What challenges does Gabe Lazo face as the new coach of UCF women's basketball?
Gabe Lazo faces the challenge of completely rebuilding the roster after multiple players transferred.
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