| Will Riley | |
| Position: | Small forward |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 9 |
| Weight Lb: | 195 |
| League: | Big Ten |
| Team: | Illinois Fighting Illini |
| Number: | 7 |
| Birth Date: | 10 February 2006 |
| Birth Place: | Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |
| High School: | The Phelps School (Malvern, Pennsylvania) |
| College: | Illinois (2024–present) |
William Riley (born February 10, 2006) is a Canadian college basketball player who plays for the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten Conference.
Riley attended high school at Southwest Academy Prep in London, Ontario with brief stops at Preston High School and Grand River Collegiate Institute.[1] He then attended The Phelps School in Malvern, PA where he spent the last two years of his high school career. He was ranked as the top-ranked Canadian prospect and No.9 overall by 247Sports, No.10 by On3, and No.11 by Rivals in the Class of 2025.
He averaged 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during EYBL and was named Offensive MVP of the EYBL Indy Session, starring for UPlay Canada.[2]
He was named MVP of the 2024 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during NBA All-Star weekend.[3]
On June 23, 2024, Riley committed to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was originally part of the class of 2025 but reclassified to 2024 to join earlier.
Riley is the highest-ranked recruit signed by Illinois in the internet era, surpassing Dee Brown from the Class of 2002.[2]
On Monday November 11th, 2024, Riley was named the first Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the 2024-25 season. Riley's overall week (22.5 points and 7.0 rebounds) in two Illinois wins, as well as his securing the Illini freshman scoring record, that tipped the scales in his favor.[4]
Riley's parents are named Ray and Tracy. His parents both played sports in high school. His dad ran track and his mom played hockey.[5]