The NBA Draft can be a roller coaster, and Illinois basketball star Will Riley is experiencing that right now.
Riley ended up getting his name called right after his Illini teammate, Kasparas Jakucionis, was selected No. 20 overall by the Miami Heat. Riley’s initial destination at No. 21 was the Utah Jazz. That has now changed.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Jazz are sending the No. 21 pick, Riley, the No. 43 pick in the second round, and a second rounder in 2031 and 2032 to the Washington Wizards for the No. 18 pick, Walter Clayton Jr.
Utah sent No. 43 and second-rounders in 2031 and 2032 to Washington in this deal. https://t.co/lNZR5jaPes
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
This is a great addition for the Wizards, as Riley is bursting with potential. The 6-foot-8 forward has the ability to create on the perimeter but can also drive and take contact around the hoop.
Riley impressed at Illinois. He finished his lone year in Champaign averaging 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. The most impressive thing about his game is that he is extremely athletic and has great shooting range.
Will Riley is going to have to rise above a bad franchise like the Washington Wizards
Earlier this week, I published a list of the three teams that Riley needed to avoid. These franchises were the dumpster fires of the NBA and are a black hole for players and their careers. Which team took the No. 1 spot for Riley?
Washington, of course.
The Wizards are a horrible team with zero direction. They did do something good a few days back by trading Jordan Poole and getting him out of Washington. CJ McCullum, a nice stable veteran, came back in return.
Having a better veteran presence like McCullum should help Riley. But make no mistake about it, he is going to have to blaze his own path and grow up quickly without much guidance. This is going to be a challenge, but Riley can do it. This kid is special, and I can’t wait to see what he can do in the NBA.