UCF MBB Standout G Kugel Getting Closer to Fifth-Year Return

As the NCAA tries to hash out the remaining eligibility cases around the country, it is beginning to look like UCF men's basketball could get a big addition.

Riley Kugel, who led the Knights in scoring last season, has been seeking an additional year of eligibility to return to the program, giving head coach Johnny Dawkins and experienced three-level scorer.

In late September, Kugel was granted a temporary injunction in a Monroe Circuit Court in Indiana, ruling him eligible for the time-being.

On Monday, he got another positive result, with the NCAA's motion to stay the preliminary injunction in Indiana being denied.

Getting him back would be a huge addition alongside the new backcourt pieces of Jahda Swann and Dior Johnson, while providing the team with a guy who already understands the offensive schematics.

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.