"The attention from the Washington Wizards incoming draft class seemingly was focused on the rookie year of No. 6 overall pick Tre Johnson. Johnson entered his rookie campaign as the team's top pick over the offseason and with Rookie of the Year expectations, many people overlooked the fact that the Wizards selected another high upside prospect in the back half of the first round. That player? Will Riley."
"Riley emerged as a projected first round pick late in the draft process after a standout season at Illinois, where he served as a reliable sixth man for the Fighting Illini. The oversized guard's skillset made him an intriguing fit for several teams, but his basketball IQ is the exact reason why the Wizards took a swing on his potential with the No. 21 overall pick."
""His processing, his passing, his ability to read the game; that's obviously all stuff that we liked in the draft," Keefe said. "He got good reps at that, playing at the point yesterday. He's big, he's 6'8", he can see over the defense. He had a big scoring night, the passing is the stuff that impressed me the most.""
Will Riley was selected No. 21 overall by the Washington Wizards despite much of the draft attention centering on No. 6 pick Tre Johnson. Riley arrived after a standout season at Illinois as a reliable sixth man and an oversized 6'8" guard with notable skill and basketball IQ. The Wizards targeted his court vision and passing when drafting him. Riley has received limited NBA rotation minutes early in his rookie season and has mainly played in the G-League with the Capital City Go-Go. A 36-point G-League performance, observed by coach Brian Keefe, showcased his processing, playmaking, and ability to run the point, prompting Keefe to give him rotation opportunity.
Read at Wiz of Awes
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]