Illini now

Illinois Freshman Forward Will Riley Announces He Will Enter NBA Draft

Riley will wave goodbye to the Illini after a freshman campaign in which he earned Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors
Jason Langendorf|
Illinois forward Will Riley (7) is shown during practice before their first round NCAA men’ s basketball tournament game Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Illinois forward Will Riley (7) is shown during practice before their first round NCAA men’ s basketball tournament game Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Illinois Fighting Illini

Any hopes of Illinois' NBA-level talents foregoing the April 26 NBA Draft to return to Champaign for another season evaporated were just dashed.

On Monday, hours after freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis announced his intention to turn pro, freshman forward Will Riley followed suit, declaring to ESPN that he will enter the draft.

Riley, who averaged 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors as a freshman in the 2024-25 season, came in as Illinois' highest ranked recruit (No. 9, according to 247Sports) in the internet era.

A slinky, 6-foot-8 forward, Riley experienced some twists and turns as a first-year collegian – especially while adjusting to the physicality of the Big Ten – but was arguably the Illini's most dangerous scorer by the time the NCAA Tournament rolled around in March.

A five-point, 1-for-7 shooting performance against Kentucky in Illinois' second-round loss demonstrated how much more development Riley needs to undergo, which raised Illini fans' hopes that he might remain in school one more year, providing scoring, experience and stability to a roster that is in flux for a second straight offseason.

Most projections have Riley, who just turned 19 in February, going after the draft lottery as a middle-to-late first-round pick.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois Freshman Star Kasparas Jakucionis Declares for NBA Draft

Illinois in the Mix to Land Big Sky Player of the Year Through Transfer Portal

Scouting Illinois Signee David Mirkovic, Recruit Dame Sarr at Nike Hoops Summit

Published
Jason Langendorf
JASON LANGENDORF

Jason Langendorf has covered Illinois basketball, football and more for Illinois on SI since October 2024, and has covered Illini sports – among other subjects – for 30 years. A veteran of ESPN and Sporting News, he has published work in The Guardian, Vice, Chicago Sun-Times and many other outlets. He is currently also the U.S. editor at BoxingScene and a judge for the annual BWAA writing awards. He can be followed and reached on X and Bluesky @JasonLangendorf.

Share on XFollow JasonLangendorf
Home/Basketball