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Florida Basketball Freshman Profile: Riley Kugel

By Nolan Fluke

CHARLESTON, SC - NOVEMBER 22: The Florida Gators logo on a pair of shorts during a second round Charleston Classic basketball game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at the TD Arena on November 22, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
CHARLESTON, SC - NOVEMBER 22: The Florida Gators logo on a pair of shorts during a second round Charleston Classic basketball game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at the TD Arena on November 22, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Florida Basketball 2022-2023

As Coach Golden takes the reigns of the Florida basketball program, he gets to bring in his first ever Florida recruiting class. His inaugural recruits include the names Denzel Aberdeen, Riley Kugel, and Aleksander Szymczyk. These three freshman are the newest to join the Gators, and their first year development could be huge for the future of the program.

Leading into their first years in Gainesville, Hail Florida Hail is going to take the time to highlight each recruit and let our Gators fans learn more about these young talents.

After beginning this short series with a profile on Denzel Aberdeen, next up his Aberdeen’s high school teammate, Riley Kugel.

Player Overview: Riley Kugel

Kugel came out of high school a four star recruit and was ranked as the no. 53 prospect on 247Sports national rankings. He played alongside Denzel Aberdeen at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida, helping push the program to its first state championship in history. In his senior season, Kugel averaged 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.

This well-rounded production earned him offers from Mississippi State and Auburn, but he elected to stay in his home state of Florida and play in Gainesville. Kugel is a great pickup for the Gators program, bringing in a great guard prospect to develop for the future.

Highlight video via Jorrdan McCray TV

Kugel’s Fit As A Gator

In his freshman season, it is unlikely we will see too much of Kugel on the floor for the Gators. Coach Golden as a great core of guards in Myreon Jones, Kyle Lofton, Will Richard, and Trey Bonham. Aberdeen and Kugel both will be spending this upcoming season on the bench learning and developing their skills for next year after Lofton and Jones have moved on from Gainesville.

The 6’5 Kugel has several tools that could make him a great player within Golden’s system.

  1. He has positional height/size that can translate into defensive versatility
  2. He can handle the ball and create his own shooting opportunities
  3. He can run the floor in transition to create plays for his teammates

Having a 6’5 shot creator who can guard multiple positions (if he puts the work in on that end of the floor), who can handle the ball and create looks for teammates spells trouble for the SEC if Kugel can develop this freshman season. If he can spend this season learning from the talented guards above him, he is no doubt going to see some serious minutes in his sophomore season with a potential starting spot in his final years.

In Summary

Kugel is a perfect pickup for the Gators. Pairing him with his former high school teammate Denzel Aberdeen, gives Florida two 6’5 ball handling guards that can also dish the rock. What gets more dangerous than two players like that? They are bound to be a deadly NCAA 1-2 punch if they can continue to develop together in there first two seasons.

If you want a time to be excited about Florida basketball, having Kugel as a freshman recruit is the time to be excited. He is bound to be a multiple year player who can contribute to the team on multiple levels. A great pickup for Golden, and a beacon of future hope for Florida fans.

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