Inside The Rockets

Rockets Take 'Crafty Shotmaker' in Latest Mock Draft

The Houston Rockets are looking to add one of the high-rising freshmen in the country in a 2025 mock draft.

Jeremy Brener

Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Houston Rockets logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Houston Rockets logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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The Houston Rockets are expected to have a pair of picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, but there's still a myriad of options for them to potentially select.

In Bleacher Report analyst Jonathan Wasserman's latest mock draft, he reveals a potential Rockets prospect in soon-to-be freshman guard Will Riley out of Illinois.

"Coming off three impressive EYBL sessions with UPlay (21.9 points), Will Riley committed to Illinois and reclassified to play college basketball in 2024, making himself eligible for the 2025 draft," Wasserman writes. "At 6'7", he's a crafty shotmaker with the ability to improvise or counter into difficult jumpers and floaters. Despite an underwhelming frame, minimal length and limited explosion, he finds ways to get to his spots. Riley should be on most NBA teams' radar after some impressive moments through Nike Hoop Summit week."

Riley still has a lot to prove in order to become a first-round prospect in 2025, and he'll likely be tasked with fulfilling the role that Terrence Shannon Jr. vacated when he left for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of this year's draft.

If Riley can flex the potential he showcased in high school, he'll have a chance to be selected by the Rockets or any of the other 29 teams in June's NBA Draft.

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Jeremy Brener

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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