With a long stroke of the wrist by Dr. Phillips’ shooting guard Riley Kugel, Florida coach Todd Golden scored another piece in the Gators’ rebuild.

Kugel chose UF over LSU and Georgia Monday evening, unzipping a jacket featuring the Panthers’ insignia to reveal a Gators T-shirt. The 6-foot-6, 175-pound Orlando product then put on a Florida hat and did the Gator Chomp.

“The whole coaching staff … showed love constantly every single day,” Kugel told recruiting analyst Joe Tipton of On3.com. “The ultimate end goal, they want me to get to the NBA, develop me. Obviously, I’m home. I’m here with my family and friends. Everybody can watch me play.”

Kugel is the No. 78 prospect and No. 8 among shooting guards, per 247Sports composite ranking, though the services itself ranks him No. 48 overall.

Kugel, who averaged 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season, originally committed to Mississippi State but backed off after Ben Howland’s firing. Golden hired former Bulldogs assistant Korey McCray, who was Kugel’s primary recruiter.

Kugel will join high school teammate Denzel Aberdeen in the Gators’ 2022 class. Aberdeen averaged 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists playing alongside Kugel in all 31 games for Dr. Phillips.

“The dynamic duo is back again,” Kugel said.

Golden’s 2022 transfer class also ranks No. 1 in the SEC and No. 3 nationally, according to 247Sports.

Florida has one of 13 scholarships remaining.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @osgators.

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