Will Riley

[tontoz]

Solid defender => has the potential to be a solid defender. He's not Davis Bertans.

Saying someone is a solid defender is a lot different than saying they have the potential to be one. I am not sure he really has that potential either unless he fills out substantially and puts out a lot more effort. He wasnt even a speed bump most of the time in college.

He looked pretty bad on D in the games i watched. Hoop Intellect called him "a complete zero" on that end which is pretty harsh from that guy.

I stated my opinion. If you don't like it, that's not my problem.

First of all you stated that "he is a solid defender" which is flat wrong. He's bad.

Then you changed your stance to say he has the potential to be one. What is that based on?

[WizarDynasty]

Yeah he reminds me a SGA. Canadian game. That burst that he needs .. first step he has off the hesitation with an 8'8 standing reach is going to be problem. He also displays outstanding backward momentum landing on his jumpshot which means his knees won't prematurely age....i.e. Dylan Harper, Cooper Flagg, and Ace Bailey. He uses his dribble to create backward momentum before he shoot, and his high release elbows also allows him to land and take pressure off his knee cartilage and use more of his muscle to absorb the landing.

[The Consiglieri]

If you want to be excited about Riley, don't watch the
Kentucky NCAA tourney game which I watched last
night UI lost and Riley didn't look good at all. Just one
game though. After the highlight videos it brought me
down to earth. Presumably it was motivational for Will.

Just kind of scanning through his 1 year of college ball:
18-9-4 against defensive powerhouse Alabama (3-4 from 3)
19-6-2 at Michigan State and Tom Izzo.
22-2-4 vs Purdue
15-7-1 vs Maryland and Queen
22-4-0 vs Xavier

It was a very, very strange season, he periodically dropped hammers on teams, and he also had bottom of the barrel nothing games constantly....had about 11 or 12 really, really impressive games, including those 5 great ones, and about 13 stinkers.....

I keep thinking about him, consider his age, just 19 and 5 months old, played virtually his entire solo year at Illinois as an 18 year old (Tre as well), and I consider that he was ranked 12th on multiple recruiting charts (I think 21st on one)....and I don't know.

I think he's the perfect example of a wait and see guy who has some tools in his bag that could lead up to him being a legit special player, and other qualities that suggest he'll be a bench, heat check guy, 3 and D etc....

Interesting anyway...there were a lot of guys I just did not want to draft at 18 or 40, and Riley was not one of those guys, he was one of the guys with an interesting profile, there was enough to recommend him.....But I also need to remind myself that the guy was slated in the late 20's by the analytics guys and by the early mid 20's by the tape grinders....so odds are that he won't hit the way I'd like....but there's definitely some hope here for something more.

It just feels nice, even as I was sfrustrated and so angry with how things transpired, that I can see a team that knows what it is doing in the build.

Their guy (maybe) goes a slot before them, they find someone to work a trade with, pick up multiple extra 2nds, and a guy high on their board anyway who's an interesting potential fit.

They find a team front office metaphorically smoking crack, they flip them Poole's nightmare contract for some assets we can flip for either picks or just open up cap space a year from now.

They are always moving, always building, always finding ways to make the best of what comes at them. I just keep hoping, can we keep Ted like, asleep on laughing gas in the dentist office through like 2028? If we can, I think we'll be good....

[popper]

Riley's challenge will be how he embraces NBA level defensive drills and expectations. And then how he translates those lessons in live scrimmage and game situations. If he can, he'll have a future in the league. If he can't, he'll wash out relatively quickly. I hope the coach explains that to him early and frankly. My fingers are crossed.

[doclinkin]

Just kind of scanning through his 1 year of college ball:
18-9-4 against defensive powerhouse Alabama (3-4 from 3)
19-6-2 at Michigan State and Tom Izzo.
22-2-4 vs Purdue
15-7-1 vs Maryland and Queen
22-4-0 vs Xavier

It was a very, very strange season, he periodically dropped hammers on teams, and he also had bottom of the barrel nothing games constantly....had about 11 or 12 really, really impressive games, including those 5 great ones, and about 13 stinkers.....

I keep thinking about him, consider his age, just 19 and 5 months old, played virtually his entire solo year at Illinois as an 18 year old

And that’s what you look for in the youngest prospects. Flashes that they can do it at all. The rest is work ethic to see if they can chain it together.

Veterans say the hardest part is learning to do it night after night. To practice the habits of success. If a kid shows flashes of high level play. Good. I’m less concerned about an occasional bad game.

For me I look at the games against the ranked teams and toughest rivals. If a kid has a better record against a high profile team than their season average they’re a gamer. Competitive. Likewise if they play poorly against a team but have a better game the 2nd match up it shows heart. I like that Riley came in hot, hit a rumble strip, then played better later. Learning on the fly.

[prime1time]

I really do think you have to give Riley a lot of runway. A lot of his plays were either deep threes or schemed up easy buckets. I would love to see his percentages in one-on-one situations inside the three point line. Then add in the fact that NBA players are better athletes. Hopefully the team is willing to give him some runway. I think a good frame of reference is Deni Avdija. Look at how long it took before he started to turn a corner. It wasn't until year 4. That's why I have been preaching caution with the guys we are drafting. Nearly every player we've drafted is still multiple years away from us being able to have real conversations about what they can become.

[WallToWall]

This is a year old, and it gives some idea of his game prior to his one year in college. His game grew a lot in one year of college.

Watch on YouTube

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Will followed a very normal season progression at Illinois. You can really break his season down into thirds.

1st 3rd Games 1-8
15/4/2 on 45.5/42.9/67

2nd 3rd of Games
7.5/3.2/1.5 on 31.4/22.9/69.7

Last 3rd of Games 22-34 Games:
16.8/ 4.9/3.2 50.6/35.3/78.3

This kind of trend is very common. Easy opponents to start the season. Then they start playing tougher out of conference games and in conference opponents. Then stud freshman starts to figure out and things turn around. I don't think they are looking at Riley to be a 1 or a 2, but they do want a large number of guys that can shoot, put the ball on the floor, create and guard 1-4. I'm just starting my deep dive into Riley but this seems to be the type of player that they like. And if those last 3rd of games are any indicator this kid has a ton of potential. It speaks volumes that Riley had the ability to adapt to both the higher skill level of college and to how teams were playing him.

I think Johnson is going to be good to great. Rip Hamilton is the comparison most give him.

As encouraging as that is, I think Riley has an even higher ceiling as an SG. They're going to be the Wizards Brown and Tatum, if a little smaller,

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If you want to be excited about Riley, don't watch the
Kentucky NCAA tourney game which I watched last
night UI lost and Riley didn't look good at all. Just one
game though. After the highlight videos it brought me
down to earth. Presumably it was motivational for Will.

Just kind of scanning through his 1 year of college ball:
18-9-4 against defensive powerhouse Alabama (3-4 from 3)
19-6-2 at Michigan State and Tom Izzo.
22-2-4 vs Purdue
15-7-1 vs Maryland and Queen
22-4-0 vs Xavier

It was a very, very strange season, he periodically dropped hammers on teams, and he also had bottom of the barrel nothing games constantly....had about 11 or 12 really, really impressive games, including those 5 great ones, and about 13 stinkers.....

I keep thinking about him, consider his age, just 19 and 5 months old, played virtually his entire solo year at Illinois as an 18 year old (Tre as well), and I consider that he was ranked 12th on multiple recruiting charts (I think 21st on one)....and I don't know.

I think he's the perfect example of a wait and see guy who has some tools in his bag that could lead up to him being a legit special player, and other qualities that suggest he'll be a bench, heat check guy, 3 and D etc....

Interesting anyway...there were a lot of guys I just did not want to draft at 18 or 40, and Riley was not one of those guys, he was one of the guys with an interesting profile, there was enough to recommend him.....But I also need to remind myself that the guy was slated in the late 20's by the analytics guys and by the early mid 20's by the tape grinders....so odds are that he won't hit the way I'd like....but there's definitely some hope here for something more.

It just feels nice, even as I was sfrustrated and so angry with how things transpired, that I can see a team that knows what it is doing in the build.

Their guy (maybe) goes a slot before them, they find someone to work a trade with, pick up multiple extra 2nds, and a guy high on their board anyway who's an interesting potential fit.

They find a team front office metaphorically smoking crack, they flip them Poole's nightmare contract for some assets we can flip for either picks or just open up cap space a year from now.

They are always moving, always building, always finding ways to make the best of what comes at them. I just keep hoping, can we keep Ted like, asleep on laughing gas in the dentist office through like 2028? If we can, I think we'll be good....

My first sight reaction of watching Will Riley was I think he will be a star.
*Then again, I liked Morris Almond, Eric Maynor, and Ramon Sessions.

Riley is built like Tayshaun Prince.
He is Canadian.
He impressed me more than Kasparas Jakucionis each game I watched between Maryland and Illinois.

I predict he's going to become like Jaylen Brown, another reliable go-to scorer.

[DukeLecker]

If you want to be excited about Riley, don't watch the
Kentucky NCAA tourney game which I watched last
night UI lost and Riley didn't look good at all. Just one
game though. After the highlight videos it brought me
down to earth. Presumably it was motivational for Will.

Just kind of scanning through his 1 year of college ball:
18-9-4 against defensive powerhouse Alabama (3-4 from 3)
19-6-2 at Michigan State and Tom Izzo.
22-2-4 vs Purdue
15-7-1 vs Maryland and Queen
22-4-0 vs Xavier

It was a very, very strange season, he periodically dropped hammers on teams, and he also had bottom of the barrel nothing games constantly....had about 11 or 12 really, really impressive games, including those 5 great ones, and about 13 stinkers.....

I keep thinking about him, consider his age, just 19 and 5 months old, played virtually his entire solo year at Illinois as an 18 year old (Tre as well), and I consider that he was ranked 12th on multiple recruiting charts (I think 21st on one)....and I don't know.

I think he's the perfect example of a wait and see guy who has some tools in his bag that could lead up to him being a legit special player, and other qualities that suggest he'll be a bench, heat check guy, 3 and D etc....

Interesting anyway...there were a lot of guys I just did not want to draft at 18 or 40, and Riley was not one of those guys, he was one of the guys with an interesting profile, there was enough to recommend him.....But I also need to remind myself that the guy was slated in the late 20's by the analytics guys and by the early mid 20's by the tape grinders....so odds are that he won't hit the way I'd like....but there's definitely some hope here for something more.

It just feels nice, even as I was sfrustrated and so angry with how things transpired, that I can see a team that knows what it is doing in the build.

Their guy (maybe) goes a slot before them, they find someone to work a trade with, pick up multiple extra 2nds, and a guy high on their board anyway who's an interesting potential fit.

They find a team front office metaphorically smoking crack, they flip them Poole's nightmare contract for some assets we can flip for either picks or just open up cap space a year from now.

They are always moving, always building, always finding ways to make the best of what comes at them. I just keep hoping, can we keep Ted like, asleep on laughing gas in the dentist office through like 2028? If we can, I think we'll be good....

My first sight reaction of watching Will Riley was I think he will be a star.
*Then again, I liked Morris Almond, Eric Maynor, and Ramon Sessions.

Riley is built like Tayshaun Prince.
He is Canadian.
He impressed me more than Kasparas Jakucionis each game I watched between Maryland and Illinois.

I predict he's going to become like Jaylen Brown, another reliable go-to scorer.

Id claim victory on sessions. 56th pick in draft. 11 year career. 29 career WS.

[The Consiglieri]

I remember Sessions, he played right down the road from me at UNR . Part of that mid-aughts group that made a couple of NCAA Tournaments, made it to the weekend in '07 with Fazekas, Sessions and <gulp> Javale McGee. Totally forgot McGee was on my local college team.

[dckingsfan]

I really do think you have to give Riley a lot of runway. A lot of his plays were either deep threes or schemed up easy buckets. I would love to see his percentages in one-on-one situations inside the three point line. Then add in the fact that NBA players are better athletes. Hopefully the team is willing to give him some runway. I think a good frame of reference is Deni Avdija. Look at how long it took before he started to turn a corner. It wasn't until year 4. That's why I have been preaching caution with the guys we are drafting. Nearly every player we've drafted is still multiple years away from us being able to have real conversations about what they can become.

I think Deni was physically more ready. So, 5 years is reasonable. I think it will be at least 2 years until his body develops.

And yes, full on D league and body development this year.

[AFM]

Watch on YouTube

[doclinkin]

I really do think you have to give Riley a lot of runway. A lot of his plays were either deep threes or schemed up easy buckets.

I didn’t see the schemes and plays run for him. Looked to me like he had to force the action and shake defenders with his dribble/misdirection game.

He wasn’t the lead guard though so didn’t have a chance to set the floor and playmake. From his Uplay footage that looks like a secret weapon of his game. I like that he’s been studying footage of SGA, seems appropriate that his hobby is juggling, hand eye coordination and ball control are good foundational practice.

I’m more excited for his growth than Tre even. Like all the rest of our team he needs a sandwich and then another sandwich. Washed down with a creatine shake. Still the raw talent. Work ethic. Late growth. Positional height if not length. Looks to me like he’ll be another crowd favorite.

[spaceman_E]

can't shoot or defend but at least he's also a terrible athlete. What's not to like?

The herky jerky reminds me of Greivis Vasquez without the passing. He needs a lot of strength gains and hope the athleticism blooms while sharpening that handle. I think at least 6-7 guys should have been picked before him

[dobrojim]

Every time they add a player who isn't obviously a 4/5
makes it more likely Will is going to spend much of his
1st season, or least up to the trade deadline playing
for the GoGo. He should get plenty of reps.

[WizarDynasty]

can't shoot or defend but at least he's also a terrible athlete. What's not to like?

The herky jerky reminds me of Greivis Vasquez without the passing. He needs a lot of strength gains and hope the athleticism blooms while sharpening that handle. I think at least 6-7 guys should have been picked before him

THe fact that they traded back meant he was not in their plans and they weren't afraid to lose him and none of the players after 18 were worthy of the 18th pick.

[spaceman_E]

can't shoot or defend but at least he's also a terrible athlete. What's not to like?

The herky jerky reminds me of Greivis Vasquez without the passing. He needs a lot of strength gains and hope the athleticism blooms while sharpening that handle. I think at least 6-7 guys should have been picked before him

THe fact that they traded back meant he was not in their plans and they weren't afraid to lose him and none of the players after 18 were worthy of the 18th pick.

hmm maybe they knew that he wasn't on Brooklyn or Miami's radar. Clearly they are very comfortable with a slow build

[Dat2U]

I really do think you have to give Riley a lot of runway. A lot of his plays were either deep threes or schemed up easy buckets. I would love to see his percentages in one-on-one situations inside the three point line. Then add in the fact that NBA players are better athletes. Hopefully the team is willing to give him some runway. I think a good frame of reference is Deni Avdija. Look at how long it took before he started to turn a corner. It wasn't until year 4. That's why I have been preaching caution with the guys we are drafting. Nearly every player we've drafted is still multiple years away from us being able to have real conversations about what they can become.

Nope, gotta disagree. This is not a 3 & D guy or someone who can just attack closeouts. I see ***real*** shot creation. A guy creating something out of nothing. Not with athleticism but with a deep bag, counters, a solid first step and solid length to get off shots against smaller perimeter defenders. At 6-8, that's rare and pretty special. I don't think people realize how few guys over 6-6, 6-7 have an advanced dribble package and can use it to create decent looks. If he can put on some muscle to hold up and get more consistency in his jumper, you have a real legitimate upside play. That's why I was higher on him than most on this board.

[badinage]

I really do think you have to give Riley a lot of runway. A lot of his plays were either deep threes or schemed up easy buckets. I would love to see his percentages in one-on-one situations inside the three point line. Then add in the fact that NBA players are better athletes. Hopefully the team is willing to give him some runway. I think a good frame of reference is Deni Avdija. Look at how long it took before he started to turn a corner. It wasn't until year 4. That's why I have been preaching caution with the guys we are drafting. Nearly every player we've drafted is still multiple years away from us being able to have real conversations about what they can become.

Nope, gotta disagree. This is not a 3 & D guy or someone who can just attack closeouts. I see ***real*** shot creation. A guy creating something out of nothing. Not with athleticism but with a deep bag, counters, a solid first step and solid length to get off shots against smaller perimeter defenders. At 6-8, that's rare and pretty special. I don't think people realize how few guys over 6-6, 6-7 have an advanced dribble package and can use it to create decent looks. If he can put on some muscle to hold up and get more consistency in his jumper, you have a real legitimate upside play. That's why I was higher on him than most on this board.

Man, you’re something, Dat — this is such great insight and analysis. And you do it year after year after year — telling us what to see, and showing us the way your scout mind works.