Dr. Phillips alumnus declares for the NBA draft

In 2021, Dr. Phillips High boys basketball junior guard Riley Kugel scored 13 points during the team's first state championship title. 

Five years later, the Panthers' alumnus has declared for the NBA draft Monday, April 27. 

Kugel played two seasons for the Panthers, averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds and three assists per game his junior year. His senior year he averaged 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Aside from winning states in 2021, Kugel also scored 27 points in Dr. Phillips' state runners-up finish in 2022. 

He went on to play two years at the University of Central Florida and one year at Mississippi State. In his senior season, he transferred to the University of Central Florida, where he started in all 31 games, led UCF in scoring average with 14.35 ppg and earned a career-high 26 points against Baylor. 

The NBA draft will begin Tuesday, June 23, and end Wednesday, June 24.