Gators Guard Riley Kugel Named to Coaches' Preseason All-SEC First Team
Photo: Florida guard Riley Kugel; Credit: Zach Goodall
Another day, another preseason honor for sophomore Gators guard Riley Kugel.
On Thursday, Kugel graced the Coaches' Preseason All-SEC First Team list as voted on by the league's coaches prior to the 2023-24 campaign.
He is one of eight first-team members for the conference this preseason.
Kugel broke out in the second half of the 2022-23 year for the Gators, averaging 17 points per game on nearly 50% shooting in the final ten contests. His prowess as a shot creator and three-level scorer presented the unit with a viable top option offensively and a presumed building block for the team heading into the ensuing year.
Whispers regarding a potential jump to the NBA quickly created question marks for the future of the most productive piece the Gators had sans Colin Castleton in head coach Todd Golden's inaugural campaign at the helm.
Ultimately, Kugel elected to return to the fold in Gainesville for year two of his collegiate career, looking to compound his freshman output with another draft-worthy season. Florida head coach Todd Golden said he's looking for "incremental growth" from his star guard this season.
Doing so will be mutually beneficial for Kugel's stock and the Gators' team-wide success in 2023-24.
"Riley, he’s in a great spot. If he can do that consistently, he will be a draft pick. He will be a first-rounder," Golden told All Gators this preseason.
"To his credit, he’s made a big jump in terms of his kind of consistency in his work ethic. He's approached this season with a great focus and I feel like he's just been really unselfish and trying to bring everybody with him. His attitude has been really good and I think he's a guy that understands what's in front of him. He understands how important is for us to win, because if we don't do that, then his draft status won't be as good as it should be.
"But, if we do do that, the numbers that he gets won't be that important if we win because people know how good he is and they know what he's capable of and he's already on every NBA team's radar. I'm grateful that he understands where he's at. I think because of that, it gives us opportunity to have a really good season."
Related: Exclusive: Golden’s Gators Striving for ‘Next Step’ With Reconstructed Roster
Kugel, Golden and the Gators will tip off the 2023-24 regular season on Monday as they play host to Loyola Maryland inside Exactech Arena at 8 p.m. ET.
You can find the full Coaches' Preseason All-SEC team below.
First Team
Trevon Brazile – Arkansas
Johni Broome – Auburn
Riley Kugel – Florida
Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
Tolu Smith – Mississippi State
Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee
Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee
Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M
Second Team
Grant Nelson – Alabama
Mark Sears – Alabama
Davonte Davis – Arkansas
Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Matthew Murrell – Ole Miss
Josiah-Jordan James – Tennessee
Tyrece Radford – Texas A&M
Tyrin Lawrence – Vanderbilt
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