Illinois men’s basketball lands coveted 5-star recruit

PEORIA — The University of Illinois men’s basketball team has hit it big with the addition of five-star wing Will Riley, who announced his commitment on social media on Sunday.

Riley is the No. 9 overall prospect in the 2025 national class, according to 247Sports. The Canadian-born player from The Phelps School, in Malvern, Pa., is expected to reclassify to 2024, meaning he would join Illinois for the upcoming season, according to multiple reports.

The 6-foot-8 wing chose the Illini over a group of finalists that included Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas and Kentucky.

Illinois has had huge recruiting wins for the class of 2025, already having added Joliet Compass Prep 4-star point guard Jeremiah Fears.

About Will Riley

At 6-foot-8, 180 pounds, Riley has the skills to be a guard and the size to be a forward. He has been a three-level scorer and playmaker against elite national high school competition.

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 3-point range and 79% from the free throw line.

His measurables include a 78-inch wing span, an 8-foot, 9.25-inch standing reach and a 30.25 max vertical.

Big-time potential

Riley is projected to be a first-round pick when he is eligible for the NBA Draft.

He comes to an Illini team that was focused on finding scoring packaged with size. He’ll compete in a wing group that includes Louisville transfer Tre White and 2023-24 starter Ty Rodgers.

Riley can play the 2, 3 and 4 positions, and adds major 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 the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. 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 on Journal Star: Illinois men’s basketball: Highly rated recruit commits to Illini