2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report for Washington Wizards No. 21 Pick Will Riley
The Washington Wizards have selected Will Riley with the No. 21 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Riley was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2025. He set the Illinois freshman record for points in a debut with 31 against Eastern Illinois and later broke the programโs freshman NCAA tournament scoring mark with 22 in a Round 1 win over Xavier.
Riley scored in a variety of ways, operating as a big wing who shoots off the dribble, uses touch shots and leverages his frame around the basket. He also flashed some playmaking ability late in the season.
Defensively, he totaled just nine steals and 10 blocks on the season, showing limited quickness and pop around the ball. He also struggled to score efficiently on spot-ups and must improve his catch-and-shoot game.
Still, Riley has the tools to develop into a reliable scoring wing, though he may need to make early strides defensively and prove his jumper is NBA-ready.
Riley ranks No. 27 on B/R NBA draft expert Jonathan Wassermanโs 2025 Prospect Big Board.
Essential Facts and Stats
College: Illinois | Position: SF | Height: 6'8" | Weight: 186 lbs | Age: 19 | Vertical: 32" | Wingspan: 6โฒ8ยผโณ | PPG: 12.6 | RPG: 4.1 | APG: 2.2 | BPG: 0.3 | SPG: 0.3 | FG%: 43.2 | 3PT%: 32.6
Realistic Pro Comparison: Kyshawn George
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Riley and Washington Wizards guard Kyshawn George both stood out among their respective draft classes for their wing size and perimeter skills.
They'll also have to find ways to compensate for possessing very little explosion to make a name for themselves at the NBA level.
Otherwise, like George, Riley projects as a jumbo scorer with three-point range and some secondary playmaking ability.
Strengths
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Positional Size: Riley measured 6'8" barefoot, an impressive number for a perimeter scoring wing. It should help him get shots off clean and make it easier to score around the basket without any explosion.
Scoring Versatility: Riley scored in a variety of ways with the ball, operating as a big wing who can shoot off the dribble, use touch shots and activate his frame around the basket.
Playmaking Potential: He did show some playmaking ability late in the season. The flashes suggest he could eventually be used to create more down the road. He can earn himself a bucket in a variety of ways once he's penetrated the perimeter defense.
Weaknesses
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Defensive Upside: Riley totalling just nine steals and 10 blocks all season points to a real concern for NBA teams. That part of his resume is a sign of very limited defensive quickness or pop around the basketball.
Burst: Scouts question how well Riley will be able to turn the corner and separate against NBA opponents.
Spot-Up Efficiency: Riley did not score efficiently out of spot-up situations. He needs to improve his catch-and-shoot game to be able to find minutes early at the next level.
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