Will Riley is a Canadian basketball player who plays as a forward for the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Conference. Born on February 10, 2006, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, he stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds.
Riley began his high school career at Southwest Academy Prep in London, Ontario, before transferring to The Phelps School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, for his final two years. He was highly ranked among Canadian prospects, being listed as the top Canadian and No. 9 overall by 247Sports in the class of 2025.
In his freshman season at Illinois, Riley has made a significant impact. He played in all 33 games, starting seven, and averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His performance earned him the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2024-25 season.
Riley gained national attention during the NCAA Tournament, particularly in a first-round game against Xavier, where he scored 22 points, including 18 in the second half, leading Illinois to an 86-73 victory. His performance sparked widespread praise on social media and highlighted his potential as a future first-round NBA draft pick.
Looking ahead, Illinois is set to face Kentucky in the Round of 32 on Sunday, with Riley’s continued contributions anticipated to be pivotal in the team’s tournament run.