The Kansas Jayhawks, under the leadership of Coach Bill Self, wasted no time securing their first addition from the transfer portal for the offseason. They announced the commitment of Riley Kugel, a transfer from the University of Florida, yesterday. Interestingly, Kugel made his decision without even needing to visit the KU campus, indicating his strong conviction in choosing Kansas as his new academic and athletic home.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 205 pounds, Kugel brings considerable size and skill as a guard. Having spent two seasons at Florida, where he garnered attention by earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team, expectations were high for him in the 2023-24 season. However, his performance during this period was somewhat disappointing, with averages of 9.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting at 39.4% across 33 games.
Riley Kugel is a Jayhawk. Big guard that can do a bit of everything. pic.twitter.com/5gPqPd19Bw
— 𝓙𝓪𝔂𝓱𝓪𝔀𝓴 𝓣𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 (@JayhawkTakeover) March 31, 2024
Previously viewed as a potential first-round draft pick, Kugel explored his options before deciding on Kansas. Among the schools he considered were Arizona, Houston, and UConn. While there may be an adjustment period for Kugel in transitioning to his new environment in Lawrence, his skill set and potential offer much promise for the Jayhawk fanbase to anticipate and support.
Riley Kugel: A Strategic Addition to the Kansas Jayhawks Roster.
While initially projected to be a reserve player at the start of the season, Riley Kugel’s potential impact on the Kansas Jayhawks is undeniable, a sentiment that Coach Self evidently shares. His remarkable athleticism fills a crucial gap in the team’s lineup, providing the slashing ability that was lacking in the previous season. Kugel’s style of play aligns well with the archetype of a versatile shooting guard capable of creating opportunities off the dribble and executing pull-up jump shots.
Despite concerns over Kugel’s shooting efficiency and struggles from long range, particularly evident in his lower shooting percentages, there’s reason for optimism. Following a challenging start to the season, Kugel showcased significant improvement, notably achieving a 39.6% conversion rate from beyond the arc during 18 conference games. This resurgence mirrors his performance as a freshman, where he maintained a 37.6% three-point shooting accuracy.
Notably, Kugel’s eligibility spans two more years, indicating substantial potential for growth under Coach Self’s tutelage. While the option to enter the NBA Draft after a single season remains, Kansas stands to benefit significantly should Kugel develop into a standout player, attracting attention from professional scouts.
Moreover, in the event of potential transfers such as Elmarko Jackson and/or Jamari McDowell, Kugel’s addition assumes even greater significance, bolstering the Jayhawks’ depth in the guard position. Regardless of roster changes, Kugel is poised to assume a significant role within the team, likely featuring prominently in the second unit and potentially even earning a spot in the starting lineup. With Kansas poised to make further moves in the transfer portal, securing Kugel early on represents a strategic win for the coaching staff.
