Kugel returned home, igniting the Knights with scoring bursts and tough defense. His impact, despite injuries, sparks NBA draft buzz.
Senior guard Riley Kugel returned home for his senior season, joining the Knights' completely revamped squad from last year.
Kugel, an Orlando product, spent two seasons with the University of Florida before transferring to Mississippi State last year. He joined UCF as the team's most highly-touted recruit, grading in as a 4-star transfer, according to 247 Sports.
Kugel did not disappoint, leading the Knights in scoring with 14.4 points per game while often taking it upon himself to guard the opposing team's best guard.
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.
Dawkins gave props to his leading scorer following the loss, praising him for staying ready despite limited reps.
"Well, he's talented young player and of course, he's one of our best players and so, you know, I think you're always better when your best players are able to play out there on the floor for you and so it's good to have him back," Dawkins said. "And I I thought he gave us, you know, everything that he had. I thought he, you know, he gave us everything considering he's been out for quite a while. He's missed several games and had very limited practices. And so, I thought for what he went through and, you know, it was impressive because a lot of players couldn't have done what he did tonight based on the limited reps he's taken since the injury."
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."
Kugel should draw NBA attention for his 3-level scoring ability and consistent shooting from long range.
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