Report: Riley Kugel will not play at Kansas

Field Level Media|published: Wed 8th May, 14:21 2024

Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) heads back to the bench after his teammate, Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten, was wheeled off the court on a stretcher after a lower leg injury during the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game against Auburn at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 17, 2024. credits: Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Florida guard Riley Kugel will not play for Kansas this season, CBS Sports reported Wednesday.

Kugel committed to the Jayhawks on April 1, days after entering the transfer portal, but Kansas coach Bill Self said Monday that Kugel's future in Lawrence was "up in the air."

The 6-foot-5 sophomore is now back to being recruited by high-majors, per the report.

Kugel averaged 9.2 points and 3.5 rebounds and shot 39.4 percent from the field in 33 games (11 starts) this past season but lost his starting job in December. He was on the bench for both the semifinals and final of the SEC tournament. The Gators beat Texas A&M in the semis but lost to Auburn in the final.

Kugel did play in Florida's 102-100 loss to Colorado in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He had 11 points, four rebounds and three steals in 21 minutes.

In 2022-23, Kugel averaged 9.9 points and 2.8 rebounds and shot 45.6 percent in 32 games (17 starts). He averaged 17.3 points over the final 10 games of the season and earned SEC All-Freshman honors.

—Field Level Media