ORLANDO, Fla. — University of Central Florida men's basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins added nine players from the transfer portal this offseason.

But two of the biggest were former 5-star high school prospects Mikey Williams and Dior Johnson. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Mikey Williams and Dior Johnson are two former 5-star prospects on UCF's roster 

  •  Williams and Johnson battled through legal trouble early in their college career

  •  The duo credit UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins for giving them a second chance

Ever since they got to UCF's campus, the two guards say they fostered a special bond. 

"That’s my dog!" said Johnson, talking about his relationship with Williams. "Growing up, we're young super-star sensations with social media and the era now. So, we connected early, and we dealt with a lot of similar stuff on and off the floor.”

Williams and Johnson were seen as child phenoms that had the basketball world at their fingertips. 

But being in the public eye is a gift and curse. 

Both guards had opportunities at Power 4 universities before coming to Orlando and legal troubles threatened their futures. 

While at the University of Pittsburgh in 2022, Johnson pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts of assault. 

Williams, on the other hand, never played at the University of Memphis. He was arrested in connection to a San Diego shooting in which no one was injured. 

In November 2023, he pled guilty to one felony count of making a criminal threat in exchange. The other charges were dismissed and eventually reduced to a misdemeanor. 

Both view their off-court situations as a learning experiences. 

“It’s going to come down to how you bounce back, how you handle the situation, how you react, how you grow from the situation," said Johnson. "That’s the only way you’re still going to reach your potential is to get over that hump.”

“I’m just glad I’m able to be here and come here every day and work. I know it’s going to be easy. But it just drives me more.” Williams said.

The two guards say they have grown from their off-court situations. 

Before committing to UCF, Johnson played a year of JUCO at Clarendon College, where he had to find his love for basketball again. 

“I was playing games. There were no people in the gym," said Johnson. "No coaches coming to see me for practices or games. It really tested if I still loved it, and if it was really wanted to do this for the rest of my life. It would be nights where I cried in my room. JUCO is not easy.”

Williams and Johnson needed a second chance and fresh start, and they thank UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins for providing it. 

They describe Dawkins as a great leader and someone who anybody would want to play for. 

"If you can’t get it right under him, I mean, I don’t know if you’re going to get it right under,” said Johnson. 

"He’s going to make sure that he tells you what’s best for you. I think the part of just listening to him and appreciating him and respecting him, it goes hand in hand,” Williams, who played in his first college basketball game under Dawkins, said.

It wasn’t an easy road and there were bumps along the way, but Johnson and Williams are making the most of their opportunities.