Riley Kugel’s Timely Return to Florida is a Multifaceted Victory for Gators

Riley Kugel's return for a second season holds significant on-court value, but the announcement at this stage could be equally rewarding off the court.

Photo: Riley Kugel; Credit: Zach Goodall

The face of Florida's basketball franchise is staying in Gainesville.

Star Gators guard Riley Kugel announced his decision to return to UF in 2023-24 on Tuesday afternoon. 

It marked arguably the biggest news of the offseason for Todd Golden, as holding onto his services for at least one more season was undeniably the No. 1 priority on the heels of a disappointing first campaign at the helm.

However, this isn't just an average return as Kugel's drawn potential NBA lottery pick buzz if he produces another efficient season as a sophomore. It's a possible turning point for Golden's program.

How vital can Kugel's return be for Florida, on and off the court? All Gators breaks it down.

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Earning Kugel's services for a second season after the promise he displayed in 2022-23 is a monumental victory for the Gators regarding future on-court success. Additionally, pinning him down at a crucial stage of their transfer portal recruitment efforts — where Golden and Co. can use him as a selling point (from several angles) to lure prospective talent — adds more luster to the resounding retention.

Kugel was afforded the luxury to operate as a primary scoring option following Colin Castleton's season-ending injury against Ole Miss in mid-February. It allowed the true freshman to showcase his skillset in higher volume after showing signs of turning the corner as a dominant offensive piece in Golden's system during the SEC slate.

Averaging 18.2 points per game on 46.8% shooting from the floor and 38.6% from three in the final seven contests, Kugel possessed the shot-creation ability to keep Florida afloat to end the year despite evident lapses in personnel that likely would've resulted in finishing multiple games under .500 without him.

His scoring prowess at all three levels and knack for operating in isolation helped spark a stagnant Gators' offensive attack. It made up for a significant drop-off in defensive efficiency that came without a true rim protector in the middle.

As a result, the goal was to keep him in orange and blue. But, that wouldn't come without a fight. 

As he grew into his own on the hardwood, buzz circulated for his standing as a potential first-round prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft.

He initially shut down the idea of transferring when asked about the rumors that swirled on that front in March.

"Being a part of the program is just a blessing," he said following a comeback victory at home over LSU in the regular-season finale. "I definitely love this team with every inch of me. I really don't have any ideas of leaving this team soon [through] like transfer portal or anything like that."

However, diplomatically, Kugel didn't rule out a potential jump to the pros if the market demanded his services.

Following the Gators' loss to UCF at home in the NIT to effectively finish the volatile first year, Kugel declined to offer that same pledge of loyalty as it pertained to the NBA, leaving some doubt that the rising star may become just the second player (Bradley Beal) in program history to go one-and-done. 

According to Golden, a first-round grade would have forced the staff's hand to push Kugel toward the next level, although their selfish ambition was to keep him in Gainesville as long as possible. They never came to that crossroad, instead effectively returning the centerpiece of the future in a seemingly short-lived recruitment back to UF.

He'll undoubtedly assume the starting spot he held to end last season as he's expected to lead the Gators to brighter days in year two under Golden.

Kugel will be the guy for Florida.

That will come as a player and leader with one year in the system under his belt.

Now, the focus can shift to talent acquisition via the transfer portal as compiling a talented supporting cast for Kugel becomes paramount.

Eight vacancies were created on the roster from a season ago as three fifth-year seniors exhausted eligibility and five additional players went their separate ways via the transfer portal.

Three holes are already filled, as incoming true freshmen Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon will make their way to Gainesville. Yale forward transfer EJ Jarvis, a one-year rental to bridge the four-spot for Florida, will join the duo making up the 2023 recruiting class in the frontcourt.

That leaves five spots available, with a plethora of viable options at their disposal.

Kugel's return — as the staff knows the services that he provides — allows Florida to be picky the rest of the way in their transfer additions. Instead of taking talent to fill spots, it can equip the roster with talent that balances out the team's weaknesses from a season ago. 

For example, instead of applying pressure for a dominant scoring center, they can look for a lengthy, rim-protecting defender with an impressive rebounding presence to create more possessions for Kugel to work.

Additionally, Kugel and fellow incumbent starter Will Richard's presence allow the Gators to focus on the barren one and five positions as the wing spots — albeit a depth piece may be necessary — are taken care of at the top of the lineup.

That's been the point of attack thus far, even before Kugel's announcement, potentially to show good faith for his return, and has resulted in several parties interested in repping the orange and blue. 

At point guard, as they look for a player who can create for others while simultaneously possessing the ability to penetrate the lane toward the basket at any time, Florida's emerged as a potential suitor for Walter Clayton Jr. (Iona), Claudell Harris Jr. (Charleston Southern) and Tylor Perry (North Texas), among others.

Marshall transfer Micah Handlogten, who will visit Gainesville officially starting on Thursday, occupies a notable seat at the top of the center board.

No matter the position or player, at least one pitch in the recruiting process becomes the same for every prospect: "Come play with Riley Kugel."

His presence is an immediate sense of comfort that winning at a high level and returning to the tournament for the first time since 2020-21 isn't a far-fetched goal. That goes for the recruited players and the coaching staff. It could lure other star-studded talents to Gainesville to ensure a quick turnaround from year one to two.

His impact on the court is immense, but his impact off of it this offseason could be a defining factor in his head coach's success at the University of Florida in the short and long term.

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