During Wednesday night’s NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards acquired the 21st overall pick via a trade with the Utah Jazz and used it to select Illinois standout Will Riley—taken just one spot after fellow Illini Kasparas Jakucionis.
What Utah is getting in Will Riley:
According to Illinois on SI’s NBA Draft scouting breakdown, Riley was one of college basketball’s most explosive scorers last season. Known as a “microwave scorer,” he boasts a complete offensive arsenal: pull-up jumpers, step-backs, side-steps, and fadeaways. At 6-foot-8 with a quick release, Riley can create and get off his shot nearly anytime, a skill expected to carry over well to the NBA.
He’s a polished three-level scorer with a smooth handle and long strides that help him get to the rim. Riley finishes well with either hand and has a soft touch around the basket, particularly favoring the right side and using the glass. He’s also adept at floaters and push shots.
Riley is constantly active—always in motion and often in the right spot at the right time, a valuable instinct that can’t be taught. He’s a smart cutter who can lose defenders with sneaky off-ball movement and is an effective offensive rebounder thanks to his energy and timing.
Throughout the season, Riley made noticeable progress as a passer. Initially criticized for tunnel vision, he evolved into a reliable secondary playmaker. Illinois even gave him opportunities to initiate offense in pick-and-roll sets, where he showed real growth and shifted from being a ball-stopper to a willing passer.
However, old habits occasionally resurface. His scoring skill set sometimes leads him to force low-percentage shots, which impacted his efficiency—he ended the season shooting 43.2% from the field and 32.6% from beyond the arc.
On defense, Riley can get caught watching the ball and is vulnerable to backdoor cuts. Though he weighs just 185 pounds and has some athleticism concerns (both lateral and vertical), he competes hard and has shown a developing physique. At just 19 years old, there’s reason to believe he’ll continue to grow into his frame.
Stay tuned to Illinois on SI for continued NBA Draft coverage, analysis, and reactions related to Illinois players.
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