Former Illinois basketball wing Will Riley was poised to be a major part of Brad Underwood's roster before he declared for the 2025 NBA draft.
Riley, a product of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, was a five-star recruit prior to committing to the Illini. The 6-foot-8 forward was Illinois' top recruit from the class of 2024, leading the likes of Morez Johnson Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis in the rankings.
The 20-year old Riley is quickly becoming a major piece of the Washington Wizards' future, and he showed that this past Sunday in an NBA Summer League matchup against the Sacramento Kings.
It was a one-sided affair for Riley and Co., as Washington beat Sacramento handily by a score of 104-85. They trounced their opposition from the west, with Riley recording 32 points and six rebounds on 64% shooting from the field.
🗣️ WILLY 🗣️ J 🗣️ BALL#ForTheDistrict | @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/a7QHPqULDP
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 13, 2026
Riley will look to continue his rise to stardom this season for a rebuilding Wizards squad, especially with No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa joining him for the 2026-27 season.
The Washington Wizards are in a perfect spot for the future with Will Riley and AJ Dybantsa
It has been a tough stretch for the Wizards, as they've failed to record a .500 record in eight of the last nine seasons. They have struggled to gain any momentum and are in desperate need of a fresh start.
That is where Riley and Dybantsa come in, as these two young players have what it takes to be the future of this franchise. They can certainly be one of the new top duos in the NBA, and a reason for quality free agents to look Washington's way when the time comes.
Riley and Dybantsa are two large, talented forwards who give the Wizards strength in various aspects of the game. Riley, for starters, continues to prove that he can score at all three levels, while Dybantsa is more of a physical freak who can dominate on the inside.
If the Wizards want to go anywhere in the future, then they are going to need to lock these two down. Dybantsa has plenty of room to grow, as his perimeter shooting isn't really top of the line, but Riley will certainly be the one to watch in Washington, as he continues to become the face that runs the place.
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