Illini’s Riley, projected 1st-rounder, gets in draft

• Jonathan GivonyApr 14, 2025, 02:49 PM ET Close NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
  Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and international teams

Illinois freshman wing Will Riley, a forecasted first-round pick, will go into the 2025 NBA draft, he informed ESPN on Monday.Riley, the No.

15 prospect in ESPN’s NBA draft projections, was called Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year after balancing 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season.Originally a member of

the 2025 high school class, the Kitchner, Ontario, native made a late choice to reclassify and register at Illinois, possessing minimal high-level experience in the States relative to his peers. While there were considerable ups and downs, he had numerous eye-opening performances demonstrating his qualifications as a lottery-caliber talent for Illinois, especially in the second half of the season.Editor’s Picks

1 Related “I discovered a lot through the season,” Riley said. “I faced a lot of difficulty, which helped me. When I was more youthful, I had no idea what it was like on the American basketball scene. That shift from Canada was good for me. The greatest distinction was the physicality. I place on 22 pounds before the start of the season. NBA groups saw my capacity as a ball handler and developer, my IQ, and my capability to make reads. These are things you can’t teach. I got adjusted midway through the season and started to bloom.”

While far from a completed product, NBA groups view Riley as a considerable long-lasting talent. He is a 6-foot-8 flexible scorer with outstanding shot-making prowess from all over the flooring who shows outstanding flashes of ability producing shots for himself and others. He also has polished scoring impulses and imagination as a passer, which is extremely appealing at 19 years of ages.

“I’m extremely keyed in on dealing with my body the next couple of months,” stated Riley, who states he weighs 195 pounds. “I’ll be locked in on putting the best things in my body. Getting stronger, consuming a lot of calories, improving my base to stay grounded. I grew late, so individuals have not quite seen how excellent of an athlete I really am yet. I originate from a high jump, and track and field background. I’m in the health club every day at 5 a.m., and then back once again in the evening.”

“I like studying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Durant– players with comparable body frames as mine. I enjoy how they get to their spots and produce open appearances. Those are guys you can’t stop. I desire resemble them however also to be like myself. I have a special game.”

The NBA draft combine will be held May 11-18 in Chicago, and the draft will be June 25-26 in New York.Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft specialist and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private hunting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and International groups.