The 2025 NBA Draft delivered its fair share of trades and surprises, and one of the more intriguing developments came at the 21st pick. The Utah Jazz selected Will Riley, the explosive wing out of Illinois, only to trade his rights to the Washington Wizards shortly after. For a Wizards team searching for identity and long-term direction, Riley represents an investment in pure offensive talent, athletic upside, and a new energy that the franchise sorely needs. Though his journey to the league has been unconventional, Riley’s combination of scoring instincts and athleticism made him one of the most compelling prospects in this year’s class, and now he brings that potential to a Washington roster in need of young firepower.
Riley’s one season at Illinois was electric. He averaged 17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. More than the numbers, it was his flair for the dramatic, his confidence in big moments, and his explosive first step that caught the eyes of scouts and general managers across the league. At 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan and elite vertical pop, Riley possesses the tools of a prototypical NBA wing. What makes him stand out, however, is his scorer’s mentality. He attacks with a fearlessness that belies his age, constantly looking to impose his will on defenders and create his own shot.
For Washington, acquiring Riley is a signal of where the franchise wants to go. The Wizards are no longer pretending to chase immediate playoff success. They’re rebuilding with intention, stockpiling picks, investing in youth, and looking for players who can become foundational pieces in a few years. In Riley, they get a player who may not be polished yet but has the tools to develop into a primary or secondary scorer in the NBA. He is not a finished product, but his upside is immense. With proper development and patience, he could become a cornerstone of the next era of Wizards basketball.
One of the most notable aspects of Riley’s game is his shot creation. He has a natural feel for getting into scoring positions. Whether it’s pulling up from the mid-range, using a jab step to create separation, or slicing through defenses in transition, Riley has a deep offensive bag. He’s comfortable handling the ball in isolation situations, and his quick-twitch movement makes him difficult to guard one-on-one. At Illinois, he often drew the toughest defensive assignments and still managed to produce efficiently. His pull-up jumper is one of his signature weapons, and he showed the ability to hit difficult shots under pressure—something that can’t be easily taught.
While his offensive talent is undeniable, Riley still has room to grow in terms of playmaking and defensive discipline. He showed flashes of passing ability at Illinois, especially when driving and kicking to open shooters, but he sometimes forced the issue and struggled with decision-making in traffic. His assist-to-turnover ratio was uneven, a sign that while he has vision, he’s still learning how to slow the game down and make the right reads consistently. Defensively, his physical tools suggest significant potential, but he often gambled too much or got caught ball-watching. These are correctable habits, and with NBA coaching and a structured environment, Riley has the potential to become a two-way force.
For the Wizards, this pick is about embracing potential and growth. After years of mediocrity and missed opportunities, Washington is finally committing to a full rebuild. The trade for Riley gives them a young talent with star potential at a manageable draft position. He doesn’t come in with the pressure of being a top-five pick, but his talent level could eventually put him in that conversation. In a league that increasingly values wings who can create their own shot, switch defensively, and play with pace, Riley fits the prototype of a modern scoring threat.
Landing in Washington could be the best-case scenario for Riley as well. Unlike some rookies entering veteran-heavy teams with immediate playoff expectations, he will have the chance to grow without being rushed. The Wizards are building something from the ground up, and Riley could be one of the pillars. With veterans like Tyus Jones or young core players like Bilal Coulibaly and Deni Avdija on the roster, Riley can learn, develop, and earn his place without being thrown into the fire too early. He’ll get meaningful minutes, real coaching, and an opportunity to showcase his game without excessive pressure.
From a cultural standpoint, Riley brings a competitive edge that has often been missing from Wizards teams in recent years. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, constantly looking to prove doubters wrong. That mindset, paired with his natural ability, could inject a new level of intensity into a team that’s lacked identity for years. Wizards head coach Brian Keefe now has a raw but explosive weapon to mold—a player who can shift momentum in a game with a single play, whether it’s a powerful dunk, a deep three, or a clutch bucket in isolation.
Off the court, Riley is known for his calm demeanor and quiet confidence. He doesn’t seek the spotlight but lets his game do the talking. At Illinois, coaches praised his work ethic and willingness to improve. He embraced coaching, welcomed film sessions, and committed himself to conditioning and strength development. Those are the traits that will serve him well in the NBA, where the leap in physical and mental demands is steep. Washington’s training staff and development personnel now have the responsibility of channeling that drive into steady progression, ensuring that his raw talent becomes refined skill.
For Wizards fans, Riley represents hope—hope that the front office can identify and develop future stars, and hope that the franchise is finally turning a corner after years of being stuck in the middle. He won’t be perfect from day one. There will be learning curves, off nights, and moments of inconsistency. But there will also be glimpses of greatness. There will be quarters where he scores 12 straight points. There will be highlight dunks that energize the arena. And over time, if all goes according to plan, there will be a steady ascension into one of the more dynamic scorers in the Eastern Conference.
Riley’s path to the NBA wasn’t the most conventional. He didn’t come from a blue-blood college program known for churning out NBA stars. He had to fight for recognition, prove himself every night, and outperform players with more hype. That kind of journey tends to forge resilience. It tends to create players who don’t take shortcuts, who don’t get complacent, and who play with a level of hunger that can’t be manufactured. Washington needs that energy. It needs players who care, who grind, and who believe that they can be part of something greater than themselves.
In the end, the trade that brought Will Riley to Washington may be looked back on as one of the pivotal moves in the franchise’s rebuild. It’s a gamble on upside, a bet on character, and a belief in player development. Riley isn’t a finished product—but that’s exactly why the Wizards wanted him. They see not just who he is today, but who he could become in three to four years. With the right system, patience, and commitment, he could be a star in the making.
The Wizards haven’t had many breakout draft successes in recent years, but the selection and acquisition of Will Riley could be the beginning of a new trend—one where the franchise invests in talent, nurtures it, and builds a core that can grow together. Riley is more than just the 21st pick in the draft. He’s a symbol of a fresh start, a bold direction, and a future filled with potential.
For now, the work begins. Summer League will provide the first look at Riley in a Wizards uniform. Fans will get a glimpse of his scoring ability, his athleticism, and his swagger. The real journey, however, will take time. He’ll face adversity, he’ll evolve, and he’ll earn his spot in the league through grit and growth. But the foundation is there. And for the Washington Wizards, that foundation starts with Will Riley—a fearless scorer with a bright future and a chance to become the face of a franchise ready to rise.
