The 2024-25 marketing campaign was one other difficult season for the Washington Wizards’ loyal fan base. Not a lot was anticipated from a Washington staff that was laying the groundwork for a full rebuild, however a dismal 18-win season noticed the Wizards end with the second-worst file within the NBA. They managed simply eight house wins, and solely the Utah Jazz gave up extra factors to opponents over the common season.
Regardless of underwhelming numbers, there are many positives shifting ahead for the Wizards. The staff has one of many youngest rosters within the league, and with blossoming stars like Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly, together with 2022 NBA champion Jordan Poole, there’s loads of expertise to construct round.
Lacking out on a top-three choose within the draft lottery might not have been splendid, however the Wizards do maintain three of the highest 40 picks within the upcoming draft together with the No. 6 and No. 18 picks. Washington’s lineup is in determined want of reinforcements and the entrance workplace will know that hitting on their first-round picks might be very important to the longer term success of this franchise.
PFSN Predicts Wizards Wsick Select Illinois Ahead Will Riley With 18th Decide
With a gifted younger backcourt that features Poole, Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington, the Wizards will probably draft not less than one ahead so as to add some depth to the place.
There are a handful of thrilling forwards on this 12 months’s draft class, and in keeping with PFSN’s latest mock draft by Keenan Warner, Will Riley could possibly be an excellent match for the Wizards. The 6’8″ Canadian is an thrilling prospect who’s able to placing factors on the board. At 19 years outdated, he’s nonetheless younger and has loads of room to develop.
Warner goes on to say that Riley’s peak, mixed along with his potential to shoot a excessive share from lengthy vary, makes him a priceless asset for any NBA staff.
“Will Riley is one other participant who is ideal for in the present day’s NBA. He’s lengthy, athletic, and might shoot from the perimeter,” Warner famous.
In an Illinois roster that was suffering from stars, Riley shone in his freshman season with the Preventing Illini. He proved that he may contribute in quite a lot of methods, rating third in factors (12.6), fourth in assists (2.2), and fifth in blocks (0.3). One facet of his recreation that stood out was his taking pictures vary, as Riley shot 32.6% from behind the arc and recorded 47 3-pointers on the season.
After an distinctive freshman season, Riley was named the Huge Ten’s Sixth Man of the 12 months.
Riley is probably not the completed product simply but, however he has proven super enchancment and progress over 35 video games with Illinois. Wizards’ head coach Brian Keefe has labored with a number of the league’s prime gamers, and given the chance, could possibly be the person to develop Riley right into a key determine in Washington’s lineup.
