Riley Kugel appears headed back to UCF, and Johnny Dawkins could soon have his top scorer from last season’s March Madness team back in the fold.
The guard posted on X on Wednesday after getting another favorable legal result in his push to return to college basketball. Kugel went undrafted this past season and had been seeking a way back through an injunction.
In late September, he was granted a temporary injunction in Monroe Circuit Court in Indiana, which made him eligible for the time being. This latest development is even better for UCF: the NCAA’s motion to stay the preliminary injunction in Indiana was denied for the time-being.
Barring a major change, Kugel should be back in Orlando for another season.
That would be a big lift for the Knights. Last season, Kugel averaged 14.4 points per game and gave UCF scoring from every level while also standing out as one of Dawkins’ best perimeter defenders. He’s the kind of guard who can find his spots, rise up, and hit tough jump shots.
His breakout with the Knights came against Vanderbilt in UCF’s first non-conference test. UCF lost that game, but Kugel poured in 25 points and hit 4-of-5 from 3-point range. That performance launched a stretch in which he scored at least 12 points in seven straight games.
Kugel’s season had one setback when he sprained his ankle on Feb. 17 against TCU and missed two games. When he came back against Baylor, he picked up right where he left off.
The 6-foot-5 combo guard exploded for a career-high 26 points, adding five assists and five rebounds. Even in an 87-86 loss, he powered the comeback by scoring 14 points in the second half to help erase a double-digit halftime deficit.
He followed that up with an efficient 18 points against Oklahoma State, going 7-of-14 from the floor.
If Kugel is indeed back, he would slot into a backcourt that also includes new pieces Jahda Swann and Dior Johnson, while bringing a player who already knows Dawkins’ offensive system. Kugel also spent time around NBA talent and coaching staff during Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers, adding another layer to his resume.
A return to UCF would give the Knights another dynamic option and could help Kugel in his own push to keep building NBA attention. The situation is still not fully settled, but his latest post made the direction pretty clear.
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UCF's Big 12 Media Day Group Says Plenty About This Reload
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The roster reset has put a premium on the players who can help set the tone quickly, especially in the backcourt and on the defensive end. John Bol remains an important two-way presence, while Cayden Vasko and Dior Johnson are among the newcomers expected to matter right away as UCF tries to show that last season was the start of something sustainable rather than a one-year spike. [Read more 🡒]