After Will Riley declared for the NBA Draft at the end of the 2024-25 season, the question that many Illini fans wanted an answer to was, “What if he stayed for another year?”
At this point, one year into Riley’s NBA career, it’s safe to say that he would have been one of the best college players in the nation, should he have stayed. Riley has progressed at a rapid rate since he first donned a Washington Wizards jersey last summer, and now, he’s a high-upside piece on a team full of young talent.
A dominant 32-point performance in Las Vegas was the most recent headline for Riley, who the Wizards shut down for the rest of Summer League after only his second outing. Riley looked extremely comfortable out on the floor, scoring with more ease than most other players who were on the floor at the Thomas and Mack Center.
“He is the ultimate gym wrecker,” said Wizards Summer League head coach TJ Sorrentine. “One of the hardest workers on the team. So, it never surprises me what he does.”
For those just tuning in, Riley didn’t just go off in Summer League — he’s been quietly building a strong resume for the last year. From November to early January, Riley played five games for Washington’s G League affiliate, and it was clear that he didn’t belong — for good reason. Riley averaged 26 points on 52.2% shooting before spending the remainder of the season firmly planted in the NBA.
After the first half of the NBA season was full of inconsistent minutes and performances for Riley, he got his opportunity in the latter portion of the year and took full advantage. Riley scored in double figures in 12 of the last 15 games of the season and even had back-to-back 30-point outings. He ended the season as one of only 11 qualifying rookies who averaged double-digit points.
It’s safe to say, if there was a redraft, it’s very possible Riley would have been a lottery pick on many teams’ boards. Washington is certainly glad to have picked him up at No. 21.
“Just his pivots, the way he moves, he’s so shifty,” Sorrentine said about Riley’s offensive game. “You know, he’s like Manu Ginobili type. You know, he’s like one of those guys who just kind of gets to his spot and does things and you’re like, ‘How do you do that?’ So we’ve seen that ever since he’s been with us.”
Riley is one of the best young scorers in the league. He can get to the rim, pull up early or hurt a defense from beyond the arc. A “can’t leave him unguarded” mindset has to be employed against Riley, or defenders should be prepared to see the ball go through the net.
There’s no doubt that Riley will continue to impress as a scorer, so he’s trying to add more to his playmaking bag, which will give him even more offensive versatility. According to Riley, he’s been in the gym “every day” with his trainer, so he’s clearly putting in the time – now it’s just a matter of translating it into game scenarios.
“I’ve been on the ball a little bit more this year, so I’m just trying to fine tune my handle, making reads,” Riley said. “Like when I get in the paint, knowing there’s a guy open — I’m trying to make those reads consistently to the point where the defense will break down.”
The Wizards are full of young talent, and the addition of the No. 1 overall pick, forward AJ Dybantsa, has made the playing time at Riley’s position even more crowded. However, with how he developed late last year and the high-level of play he showed in Vegas, Riley should be a lock for meaningful minutes, as long as he stays on this track.
There is one way he can set himself apart, though: the defensive end. Riley has the length and athleticism to be a very effective defender, but he needs to put on weight, which has been a consistent challenge as he’s jumped levels quickly. Riley reclassified to go from high school to college a year early and joined the NBA under a year later. His body catching up will help, but focus and grit are foundational pieces of defensive success that Riley can embrace right now. If all goes right, Riley could become a legitimate two-way threat, which every team loves to have.
“I can be a first team, all-defensive team guy,” Riley said. “So I mean, that’s just what I’m trying to make an impact on on the defensive end. I said in college I was being a lot lazier on the defensive end. Just letting guys blow by me, not being a help side, but definitely want to bring it to the next level.”
Washington is an ideal situation for Riley to grow into a special player. He’s got several other young, talented teammates that will continue to push him, veterans in Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Khris Middleton that will hold him accountable and an organization that truly seems to believe in him. Right now, Riley has the potential to be a highly productive sixth man, and in time, a bright star in the nation’s capital.
@sahil_mittal24