Kugel leaves, enters transfer portal
GAINESVILLE — Florida shooting guard Riley Kugel will transfer following a perplexing and disappointing sophomore season with the Gators.
Kugel, a former standout at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips, announced the decision on social media, confirming expectations the 20-year-old would leave UF after going from a preseason All-SEC pick and possible NBA first-round pick to an unreliable bench player.
“I’m thankful to all of Gator Nation for nothing but love and support over these past two years,” he wrote on his X account. “It’s been fun and I appreciate everyone who supported me through thick and thin.”
Kugel ended his career with a solid showing that exhibited his considerable athletic ability and skill set. The 6-foot-5, 207-pound sophomore finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and a block during the Gators’ season-ending 102-100 loss to Colorado last week to open the NCAA tournament.
Yet Kugel’s contributions were difficult to predict in 2023-24.
Following a late-season surge as a true freshman, Kugel returned to school rather than explore his professional options. To end his first college season, Kugel responded to Colin Castleton’s season-ending hand injury by averaging 18.3 points during the final eight games to position himself as the Gators’ top player in Year 2 under coach Todd Golden.
Kugel opened this past season with 23 points. He soon added 25 during a close loss to Baylor and 24 during a loss at Wake Forest on Nov. 29.
But he scored 20 points or more just twice rest of the season as transfer guards Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton Jr. emerged as more reliable backcourt options. The duo averaged a combined 33.1 points and 7.5 assists.
Kugel ended the year averaging 9.2 points and 1.4 assists during 33 games for the Gators (24-12).
Kugel did not play during the final two games of the Gators’ four-game run to the SEC Tournament final, culminating with an 86-67 loss to Auburn.
Starting center Micah Handlogten’s season-ending leg injury during against Auburn left No. 7 seed Florida shorthanded against No. 10 Colorado in Indianapolis. Kugel acquitted himself well during 21 minutes of action, but the decision to leave the Gators was effectively a foregone conclusion.
He also thanked assistant coach Korey McCray. McCray recruited Kugel to Mississippi State before leaving to join Golden’s staff.
Kugel did not acknowledge his other coaches, including Golden.