PEORIA – A University of Illinois men’s basketball team achieved great success with the addition of the five-star wing Will Rileywho announced his commitment on social media on Sunday.
Riley is ranked ninth overall in the 2025 class nationally, according to 247Sports. The Canadian player from The Phelps School in Malvern, Pennsylvania is expected to reclassify for 2024, meaning he will join Illinois next season, according to multiple reports.
The 6-foot-1 wing chose the Illini over a group of finalists that included Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas and Kentucky.
Illinois had huge recruitment wins for the Class of 2025, having already added 4-star point guard Joliet Compass Prep Jeremiah fears.
About Will Riley
At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Riley has the skills to be a guard and the size to be a power forward. He was a three-tier scorer and ace in elite national high school competitions.
Riley averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on the EYBL circuit in the spring. His stock rose dramatically with a 42-point game on 15-of-16 shooting. In that spring action, he shot 50% from the field, 32% from the 3-point line and 79% from the free throw line.
Its measurable measurements include a wingspan of 78 inches, standing reach of 8 feet 9.25 inches, and maximum vertical of 30.25.
Great potential
Riley is projected to be a first-round pick when eligible for the NBA Draft.
He arrives on an Illini team that was focused on finding scores packed with size. He will compete in a wing group that includes Louisville transfer for Tre White and 2023-24 starter Ty Rodgers.
Riley can play the 2, 3 and 4 positions and adds great talent to an Illini team that won 29 games last season and reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
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Dave Eminian is a sports columnist for the Journal Star and covers Bradley, Rivermen and Chiefs men’s basketball. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared in the Journal Star: Illinois men’s basketball: Highly rated recruit commits to Illini
