Struggles Continue for UCF's Leading Scorer Riley Kugel

Last season, senior guard Riley Kugel served as UCF's top scorer, averaging a career-high 14.4 points per game, and shooting the 3-point shot at a 38.7% clip.

Amidst the madness surrounding fifth-year seniors trying to gain an additional year of eligibility, Kugel was named eligible, joining the Knights' 2026-2027 team ahead of the regular season.

But, to this point, Kugel has really struggled, averaging only five points per game through UCF's 3-0 start.

Including an 0-for-11 start from 3-point range, Kugel is shooting just 24% from the field, and is yet to have a marquee showing.

In UCF's 96-95 season-opening victory over Florida Gulf Coast, Kugel got the start, but failed to score, missing all three of his shots in just 13 minutes.

While this was a surprising performance from a player of Kugel's caliber, he was added to the official roster very late and should show improvements throughout the year.

Nonetheless, his last two outings have not been much better, and Dawkins will need the Orlando native to heat up as non-conference continues.

On Tuesday, against South Alabama, Kugel scored just five points, shooting 2-for-8 from the field. But, he did make his first 3-pointer of the season, perhaps helping him take the lid off from here on.

Last season, Kugel really turned it on in conference play, leading UCF in scoring for the team's first four Big 12 games.

The Knights went 3-1 over this stretch, picking up wins over Cincinnati, Kansas State, and then-ranked No. 17 Kansas.

The Kansas victory was UCF's conference opener, and previewed a special season from head coach Johnny Dawkins' squad.

Following the year, Kugel declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, going undrafted and landing with the Los Angeles Clippers' Summer League squad.

Alongside former UCF point guard Themus Fulks, Kugel saw limited opportunities, but was able to knock down some shots from distance.

The opportunity to practice against NBA-level talents and practice in front of the league's top coaches should have paid dividends for Kugel, who now has a unique opportunity to add additional tape to his film.

But, with his slow start, Kugel will need to turn it around sooner rather than later to regain the attention of NBA scouts.

UCF is back in action on Friday against Georgia Southern, who is sitting at 1-2 with losses to Georgia Tech and Mercer.

Kugel will need to have a big day to continue justifying his spot in the starting lineup, and show semblance of last year's success.