A legal breakthrough paves the way for the dynamic scoring guard to rejoin Johnny Dawkins, potentially bolstering the Knights’ perimeter defense and postseason aspirations for the upcoming season.1
Amidst the chaos of the NCAA eligibility standoffs, UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins could get his returning scorer back.
Riley Kugel, who is seeking a potential return to the program, was granted an injunction on Wednesday in the Monroe Circuit Court in Indiana.
Kugel was amongst a group of players that would be eligible to return to college hoops if the ruling is held up, including Miami's Malik Reneau.
Last season, Kugel averaged 14.4 points per game, while also serving as one of Dawkins' top perimeter defenders.
He is a skilled offensive player, who can get to his spots and score from all three levels.
He burst onto the scene for the Knights against Vanderbilt early in non-conference play. Kugel scored 25 points, shooting 4-of-5 from 3-point range. This was the second game of a seven-game streak of Kugel scoring 12 or more points.
After suffering an ankle injury on Feb. 17 against TCU, Kugel missed two games before emphatically returning against the Baylor Bears.
The 6-foot-5 combo guard scored a career-high 26 points against the Bears, adding five assists and five rebounds.
Despite the 87-86 loss, Kugel fueled the Knights' comeback effort, scoring 14 second-half points to counter the team's double-digit halftime deficit.
Kugel followed up his career-high outburst with an efficient 18-point night against Oklahoma State, shooting 7-of-14 from the field.
After the Knights' loss to UCLA in the first round of March Madness, Kugel talked about his appreciation for his time back home, while telling media what he wanted the team to be remembered for.
"I would say a a team that battled through ups and downs, that you know, persevered through. No matter what critics, media said, preseason polls. You know, just 13 individuals that came together who had one goal," Kugel said. "We came up short, but still to come this far, we didn't came far. So, just to be able to, you know, buy in and lock into what the coaches are telling us, Coach Dawkins is telling us throughout the whole year and just staying together. I think you've got to respect it."
Following the team's loss, Kugel declared for the NBA Draft, but was not picked, leaving him to the undrafted free agent market.
The Los Angeles Clippers came calling, signing Kugel and UCF point guard Themus Fulks to Summer League deals.
With No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler and more-experienced guards like Kobe Sanders, Sean Pedulla and Cam Christie on the roster, it was difficult to find minutes for both players.
But, despite the limited opportunity, Kugel made his mark, making his only shot attempt in his first outing, a 3-pointer.
Kugel subbed in during the second quarter and found himself open for a wing triple, confidently stepping up and knocking it down.
Another season with Dawkins would improve both UCF's chances of returning to the Big Dance and Kugel's ability to attract NBA attention with another big year.
Expect more clarity on the situation shortly, now that Kugel is temporarily eligible.
