NBA Draft Scouting Report: Illinois' Will Riley

Scouting Report: Will Riley

Will Riley / Basketball Without Borders

1. Player Info
2. Prospect Profile
3. Highlights
4. Draft Projection
5. 2025 Big Board

Player Info

Will Riley

Forward | Illinois 

Height: 6'8” | Weight: 180 lbs 

2025 Draft Age: 19.38

Mar 17, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; General view of the stadium before the game between Wisconsin Badgers and Illinois Fighting Illini at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Prospect Profile

A Canadian prospect making an impact in the Big Ten with Illinois, Riley has really emerged of late — especially in the year leading up to his freshman season. He’s a jumbo guard who could still be growing and fits the modern game well.  

Riley is comfortable handling the ball and has great vision for a 6-foot-8 prospect. He can play several positions with his size and skillset, making him the ultimate plug-and-play prospect. He’s a natural scorer who can also facilitate and make plays for others. Riley is very good at exploiting mismatches one-on-one on the offensive end and generating points in those situations. 

His jumpshot will be Riley’s swing skill, as it’s inconsistent today. Overall there’s quite a bit of reason to buy his perimeter shot, but as he continues to play against better competition and shoots from further from the rim as the 3-point line moves back, it’ll be interesting to follow. Becoming a great shooter at his size would be an incredible baseline skill to have early in his NBA career. 

Given his positional size, Riley brings defensive versatility to the table as well with how well he moves at his height. His length and frame will allow him to guard multiple positions and play in closing lineups. He isn’t a dominant defender today, but has the tools to fit in nearly any defensive scheme at the next level. 

After reclassifying, the former five-star recruit has continued to be a quick riser. That will likely be the case leading up to the draft as well given Riley is emerging as one of the best players in this class. Even with as much talent as Canada has right now, Riley could be yet another cornerstone piece of their national team in the future. 

Highlights

Draft Projection

Mid to Late First-Round Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.

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2025 Big Board

Want to know more about other potential 2025 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Big Board.

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