So, here’s the thing, right? Will Riley from Illinois is throwing his hat into the 2025 NBA Draft ring. That’s what he told Jonathan Givony over at ESPN, if you can believe it. Feels like just yesterday he was, I don’t know, that kid who got way too excited over Big Macs. But anyway.
According to this ESPN crystal ball, or whatever they use, he’s hanging around pick number 15. It’s like some mix between a prediction and a guess. Frankly, I think these projections are as reliable as a cat predicting the weather. But sure, let’s go with it.
So, Riley’s stats this past season were like a decent taco from a slightly sketchy food truck—kind of satisfying but nothing mind-blowing. We’re talking, on average, 12.6 points alongside 4.1 rebounds. Plus, he snagged the title of Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, which sounds cool, even if I don’t fully get what it means.
Riley’s got this thing for studying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Durant. And honestly, who wouldn’t? Those guys are like basketball artists, each move a paint stroke or something. Riley’s all about analyzing their footwork, how they create those plays that get everyone off their seats—myself included, if I’m being honest. He’s like, “I want to be these guys, but also… you know, be me.” Dude’s talking about having a one-of-a-kind game. Curious to see how that unfolds, especially if he ends up in, like, Minnesota mid-winter.
