2025 NBA Draft Shockwaves: Will Riley Poised to Leap into Top-10—Here’s Why Scouts Are Buzzing

Rapid Rise from Kitchener to Capital: Will Riley Joins Wizards at No. 21 in 2025 NBA Draft Washington, D.C. – Canadian swingman Will Riley took the next leap in his fast-track journey Wednesday night, hearing NBA commissioner Adam Silver call his name as the Washington Wizards selected him 21st overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old rookie becomes the latest product of Canada’s booming hoops pipeline and the second former Illinois Fighting Illini taken in the first round. A teenage reclass and a record-setting debut Riley, born in Kitchener, Ontario, accelerated his path by reclassifying last summer, arriving in Champaign a year early. He wasted no time announcing himself: a 31-point outburst on 10-of-13 shooting in his collegiate debut set an Illinois freshman scoring record and flashed the shot-making that has scouts intrigued. Season snapshot at Illinois • 12.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.2 APG • 43.2 FG%, 32.6 3PT% • Closed the season with 16.3 PPG over the final six games, starting both NCAA tournament contests Those late-season numbers mattered. Riley’s surge up draft boards mirrored his February–March scoring bump, convincing front offices his upside is worth the wait. Why Washington pounced The Wizards, stockpiling young wings around cornerstone guard Bilal Coulibaly, prized Riley’s blend of length (6-8 with a 6-10 wingspan), live-dribble creativity and defensive tools. General manager Will Dawkins highlighted three selling points in post-draft remarks: 1. Scalable role: “Riley doesn’t need the ball to impact winning, but he has the handle to create when plays break down.” 2. Two-way ceiling: “His frame projects to guard 2–4, and he already shows instinctual weak-side rim protection.” 3. Canadian pedigree: “We’ve watched Canada groom NBA-ready talent; Riley’s path tracks that curve.” Development timeline Washington plans to bring Riley along slowly, similar to how they nurtured Coulibaly. Expect Summer League reps at both wing spots, G-League stints for on-ball reps, and eventual second-unit minutes alongside floor-spacers Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija. Strengths scouts rave about • Three-level scoring flashes: comfortable attacking closeouts, shooting off movement and finishing through contact • Court vision: underrated live-dribble passer, averaged 4.7 potential assists per 40 minutes at Illinois • Motor and mindset: competitive rebounder, logged the Fighting Illini’s top chase-down block rate despite coming off the bench most of the year Areas for growth • Shooting consistency: mechanics dip under fatigue; finished sub-33 % from deep • Strength: at 205 lbs, adding muscle will help him survive NBA screens and finish vs. length • Decision speed: trimmed turnovers late in the season but must process pro rotations faster Canadian content keeps climbing Riley is the 38th Canadian drafted since 1989 and the third first-rounder in the last two drafts, reinforcing Canada’s status as the NBA’s most fertile talent pool outside the U.S. His selection also marks the third straight year the Wizards have rostered a Canadian, following Corey Joseph and Andrew Nembhard, underscoring the franchise’s familiarity with the country’s development system. Fit with Wes Unseld Jr.’s system Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. values positional versatility and transition offense. Riley’s open-floor speed could juice a Wizards team that finished 28th in fast-break points last season. Defensively, his lateral quickness pairs with Coulibaly to form a switch-heavy perimeter duo capable of masking rim-protection gaps. What’s next • July 6–17: NBA Summer League (Las Vegas) – anticipated debut • September: Training-camp battles for backup wing minutes • October: Regular-season tipoff; target 12–15 MPG early, scaling with performance Bottom line Will Riley’s draft-night rise caps a whirlwind 24 months: Canadian high-school standout, accelerated NCAA arrival, record freshman debut, and now first-round NBA pick. If the Wizards’ player-development track record holds, the Capitol may soon echo with chants celebrating another North-of-the-border breakthrough.