No. 1 Will Riley
I mentioned this earlier, but Illinois has a lot of talent on the roster this season. We have players like Kylan Boswell who will be massive for the program. But we need key pieces to fill around Boswell. That is why landing Will Riley was so big.
Riley enters the Illinois basketball program with a ton of hype. He is a 6-foot-8 forward who is rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 19 player in the class of 2024. He is also Illinois’ highest-rated recruit, just ahead of Morez Johnson Jr., since 2003.
You don’t land a five-star recruit and have them ride the pine. Riley will be Illinois’ starter at the No. 4 spot. He is someone who has special talent and can play from anywhere on the court.
Biggest Role: Game Changer
If you take Riley off the Illinois roster, this program is going to still have a good season. We would likely be ranked in the top 25 for most of the year and be in the running for a top-five seed in the NCAA tournament.
With Riley on the roster, Illinois goes for that solid team to a national title contender. That is why I have Riley’s biggest role on the team being a “Game Changer.”
Riley takes Illinois from really good to potentially great with his talent. He can play the No. 3 or No. 4 spot. His athletic ability is incredible for his 6-foot-8 size. Riley can post up or step out and shoot from three-point range. He is also extremely long. All of this has made him a projected first-round NBA Draft pick in 2025 as well.
Illinois basketball hasn’t won a national title. We got so close in 2005. Riley is a player who can put this program over the top. That is why he is No. 1 on this list.