In Will Riley, the Illini add another talented player to the mix that is a 3-level scorer. The 5-star wing can play the 2, 3, or 4 offensively and can play with the ball or off the ball as a catch and shoot guy. Riley can score in bunches, hitting 3's, pull-ups, and floaters at a high level.
Defensively, he has great positional size and length which allow him to get deflections and block or alter shots.
His biggest issues will be strength and a 4-month crash course with Illini Strength and Conditioning Coach Adam Fletcher will be important.
The other issue will be keeping the other players happy. Riley wants to play, but so does Tre White and Ty Rodgers. With 10 players projected to get minutes, Brad Underwood will have to tweak his style of riding starters for 35-38 minutes and trust his bench.
Mirković Injury Update + Illinois Hoops Talk, Illini Football Questions & World Cup Fallout 8.7.26
Listen
Illinois Football & Basketball 2026 Breakdown | QB Importance, Defensive Line Concerns & Hoops Hype #603
Listen
B1G Media Days, Illini Football & Illini Hoops Hype 7.31.26
Listen
Illini Football & Basketball Updates: Bielema, Underwood, NIL & Big Ten Buzz #602
Listen
Big Ten Media Days, Whitman Extension, Bret Bielema & Illini Football Buzz 7.24.26
Listen
Illinois Basketball Update: The Illini Could Be LOADED This Season #601
Listen
Illinois Basketball Top 5 Hype, Big Ten Schedule & Illini Women’s Rise | IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular 7.17.26
Listen
Illini Football Depth Chart Talk #600
Listen
Wagler Debut, Illini Hoops Update & Bielema on Dodd Watch List
Listen
599 - Illini Basketball & Football Expectation Setting
Listen
7.3.26 Illini Becoming NBA Guard U, Who's "Replacing" Keaton & Illini Football Update
Listen
598 Illini Basketball Update – Summer Ball & Recruiting
Listen
6.26.26 Illini Stand Tall in NBA, State of Illini Athletics & Hoops and Football Updates
Listen
Wagler #5 in NBA Draft & Ayo Signs Biggest Illini NBA Contract Ever
Listen
6.19.26 Illini Basketball & Football Recruiting Updates
Listen