Why Riley Kugel changed numbers and what he looks to bring to UF basketball as a sophomore
After returning to Florida basketball as a sophomore, guard Riley Kugel made one significant change during the offseason.
Kugel scrapped the number he wore as a freshman, the late Kobe Bryant's No. 24, for a new jersey number, 2.
"That’s my number," Kugel said. "I’ve always had my whole life. So, it just represents me. I'm the second child. Mostly every school I went to, I was there for like two years. It's just a lot of twos in my life."
Transfer leaving: Florida basketball forward E.J. Jarvis leaving team for personal reasons
Kugel returns: Florida basketball: What sophomore guard Riley Kugel returning means for the Gators
The 6-foot-5, 206-pound Kugel is hopeful that season two will result in more success for the Florida Gators. Kugel emerged as UF's primary scoring option after Colin Castleton went down with a season-ending hand injury at the end of the 2022-23 season, averaging 20.3 points and 3.6 rebounds over Florida's final seven games to earn SEC all-freshman honors.
Why Riley Kugel returned to UF basketball
The strong finish fueled speculation that Kugel would either declare for the NBA Draft or enter his name in the transfer portal to try to seek a big-time NIL deal from a blueblood basketball program. Neither happened. Kugel said he relied on his inner basketball circle — family, friends, and coaches — in making the decision to return to UF.
"The maturity aspect is definitely a big part of it," Kugel said. "I feel like I could have went last year, but I didn’t want to go last year in that type of headspace. Rather than this year was the overall goal I want to get to and it’s beneficial for me.”
That goal includes winning. Kugel, who helped lead Orlando-Dr. Phillips High to a state title in 2022, didn't want to go out following a 16-17 season that ended with UF suffering a blowout loss to UCF in the NIT.
"I want to be on a winning team, show people I can play on a winning team, and I just want to make it as far as we can," Kugel said.
Another goal for Kugel is to become more of a leader, both vocally and by example. Kugel's wide-shouldered frame helped him withstand contact as a freshman in the SEC, but after bulking up to 212 pounds over the summer, Kugel slimmed back down to 206 pounds before the start of fall drills, losing six pounds.
“Just stopped eating Chipotle every day," Kugel said. "Chipotle and Chick-Fil-a every day. I’m on a meal prep now. Just focus on eating way more healthy basically. I eat more vegetables. I never used to eat vegetables."
The dropped weight, Kugel said, has positively impacted his game. During UF's open basketball practice on Tuesday, Kugel looked bouncier on both ends of the court, skying for defensive rebounds, running the court hard and finishing strong at the rim.
"It definitely makes me feel better," Kugel said.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida Gators basketball G Riley Kugel brings talent to backcourt
