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Riley Kugel Nearly Confirms UCF Return Following Lawsuit
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- Riley Kugel Nearly Confirms UCF Return Following Lawsuit
(IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect)
It looks like UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins will be getting his leading scorer back from last year's March Madness squad - Riley Kugel.
Kugel, who went undrafted this past season but has sought a return to college hoops through an injunction, posted via X on Wednesday.
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"Woosah," the post read , with Kugel pictured in his UCF threads.
In late September, Kugel was granted a temporary injunction in a Monroe Circuit Court in Indiana, ruling him eligible for the time-being.
Now, he got another positive result, with the NCAA's motion to stay the preliminary injunction in Indiana being denied for the time-being.
Barring a significant ruling change, Kugel will be back in Orlando for another season.
Last year, Kugel averaged 14.4 points per game, scoring from all three levels and serving as one of Dawkins' top perimeter defenders.
He is a skilled offensive player, who can get to his spots and rise up for impressive jump shot makes.
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Kugel burst onto the scene for the Knights against Vanderbilt in UCF's first test of non-conference play.
The Knights lost, but Kugel scored 25 points, shooting 4-of-5 from 3-point range.
This started 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.
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Kugel followed up his career-high outburst with an efficient 18-point night against Oklahoma State , shooting 7-of-14 from the field.
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.
Kugel also had some time with NBA-level talent and coaching staff, spending the NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Alongside former UCF point guard Themus Fulks , Kugel saw limited opportunities, but was able to knock down some shots from distance.
Having another season with Dawkins and an intriguing UCF team would improve both the program's chances of returning to the Big Dance and Kugel's ability to attract NBA attention.
Although the situation is still fluid until an official ruling, Kugel's excitement to return is very promising.
