Former Florida transfer Riley Kugel commits to Mississippi State
In some ways, former Florida transfer Riley Kugel has come full circle. After spending his first two college campaigns at Florida, the former 2022 Mississippi State signee announced his commitment to Mississippi State on Thursday.
The 6-foot-5 and 207-pound Kugel originally committed and signed with Mississippi State’s Class of 2022 and former Mississippi State head coach Ben Howland. Once Howland and the Bulldogs parted ways after the 2021-22 season, Kugel was released from his letter of intent and signed with Florida.
The former All-SEC Freshman selection entered the transfer portal last month and originally committed to Kansas. However, the Orlando, Fla., native decommitted from Kansas earlier this month.
This past season Kugel averaged 23.4 minutes a game and averaged 9.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals a game for the Gators. He shot 31.2% from 3 point range and shot 69.6% from the foul line. Kugel scored in double digits 14 times last season and had five games of 20 points or more, including a season-high 25 points against Baylor last November in the NIT Season Tip-Off event.
As a freshman at Florida, Kugel averaged 9.9 points and 2.8 rebounds a game and tested the NBA Draft waters following that season before returning to Florida. Also as a freshman, he shot 37.6% from 3 point territory and 68.3% from the free-throw line.
With Kugel’s decision, head coach Chris Jans and his staff have now added five transfers this offseason. Kugel joins Penn State guard Kanye Clary, Boston College guard Claudell Harris, Miami center Michael Nwoko and Georgia wing RJ Melendez.
Within the Class of 2024, in November Mississippi State also signed point guard Dellquan Warren and last month, the Bulldogs collected a commitment from On3 four-star forward Eric Paymon.
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On the other side of the transfer portal, senior guard Shakeel Moore, junior guard Trey Fort (Samford) and junior forward Jaquan Scott (Cal-State Bakersfield) are exiting State’s program.
Returnees
So. guard Josh Hubbard
Sr. forward Cameron Matthews
Jr. wing Shawn Jones
So. center Gai Chol
So. wing Adrian Myers
So. guard Martavious Russell
Jr. forward KeShawn Murphy
2024 signee/commitment
PG Dellquan Warren (signed)
PF Eric Paymon (commitment)
Transferring in
Jr. guard Kanye Clary (Penn State transfer)
So. center Michael Nwoko (Miami transfer)
Sr. guard Claudell Harris (Boston College transfer)
Sr. wing RJ Melendez (Georgia transfer)
Jr. guard/wing Riley Kugel (Florida transfer)
Transferring out
Sr. guard Trey Fort (Samford)
Sr. forward Jaquan Scott (Cal-State Bakersfield)
Sr. guard Shakeel Moore
