With the 2025 NBA Draft quickly approaching, Illinois basketball fans are excited to see someone like Will Riley get selected.
Riley was a superstar freshman for the Illini, as started slowly but really got the speed of the college game later on in the season. His size, speed, and athletic ability has set himself apart from the rest, and that is why he is a projected first round pick.
But where will Riley end up playing? That is the big question that will be answered on Wednesday, June 25.
Updated 2025 NBA mock draft options for Illinois basketball forward Will Riley
- CBS Sports – Pick #21 – Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have a lot of potential moving forward, as they have an active front office that knows how to win. Taking Riley at pick No. 21 wouldn’t be a bad move.
Since the Jazz departed with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, they have been floundering in the NBA. Over the past couple of seasons, they have compiled some nice talent and draft picks. Riley could be the start of the true rebuild in Utah.
- USA Today – Pick #20 – Miami Heat
At pick No. 20, USA Today has the Miami Heat taking Riley. There is a strong chance that this pick doesn’t belong to the Heat come Wednesday, as Miami has been in the hunt for Kevin Durant. This pick would surely go to the Suns in any trade.
But if the Heat did take Riley, that would be a solid landing spot. Miami is always competitive, and they need more forward help. They have nice paint options in Kel’el Ware and Bam Adebayo, and their backcourt is building around Tyler Herro.
- ESPN – Pick #19 – Brooklyn Nets
There are a handful of teams that I want Riley to avoid. One of those teams is the Brooklyn Nets at pick No. 19.
Much like with Kasparas Jakucionis, my hope is that the Nets pass on Riley. I think Riley could help the Nets on the court, and he would get playing time, but Brooklyn is a mess with no direction. Riley would be better served going to a team with a vision.
- NBA Draft.net – Pick #22 – Atlanta Hawks
The final mock draft is from NBADraft.net. They have Riley heading to the Atlanta Hawks with pick No. 22 overall.
I didn’t like the Hawks with Jakucionis, but with Trae Young in the backcourt, he could help Riley offensively. Young could feed lobs to Riley, and they could feed off each other. Young has been missing a forward who could play the wing and give defenses trouble. That is what Riley could do for the Hawks.