Will Dr. Phillips (Florida) star Riley Kugel still end up at Mississippi State?

The Bulldogs hired Chris Jans last week and Kugel said Mississippi State "will still be an option"

Riley Kugel, a 4-star combo guard from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, could still end up in Starkville.

Kugel decommitted from Mississippi State after former head coach Ben Howland and the Bulldogs mutually agreed to part ways after seven seasons. The Bulldogs hired Chris Jans last week and Kugel said Mississippi State "will still be an option."

"We're giving everybody time and space to figure it out," Jans said at his introductory press conference last week. "All I ask of them is, 'Give me a chance.'"

Kugel led the Panthers to back-to-back FHSAA state championship game appearances, averaging 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this past season.

Kugel had been committed to the Bulldogs since November. The Bulldogs are now down to just two signees for this year’s class: Clinton (Mississippi) forward Kimani Hamilton and Sipsey Valley (Alabama) guard Martavious Russell.

According to 247Sports, Kugel is the No. 16 ranked shooting guard in the country and the No. 21 overall ranked prospect in the state of Florida.

Kugel currently holds offers from Arkansas State, Auburn, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Hofstra, Houston, Miami, Middle Tennessee State, North Florida, Stetson and UNC-Wilmington.

(Photos by Annette Wilkerson)

Photo by Annette Wilkerson