CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood announced Sunday the signing of five-star Canadian forward Will Riley to a Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid. Originally part of the Class of 2025, Riley intends to re-classify and join the Fighting Illini program for the upcoming season.
The 6-foot, 8-inch, 180-pound star hails from Kitchener, Ontario, and attended The Phelps School in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Riley had moved into the top 10 rankings for the 2025 class, with his profile continuing to rise following a stellar spring on the EYBL circuit.
Riley is the top-ranked Canadian prospect and ranked No. 9 overall by 247Sports, No. 10 by On3, and No. 11 by Rivals in the Class of 2025. He is the highest-ranked recruit signed by Illinois in the internet era, surpassing Dee Brown from the Class of 2002, who was No. 19 overall.
“It’s exciting to add a supremely talented player in Will Riley to our program. He is the consummate positionless basketball player who has all the tools offensively,” Underwood said. “Obviously Orlando (Antigua) was instrumental with his relationships and did an excellent job leading this recruitment. Will has the ability to score it at all three levels, and he gives us another action player who can make plays for others and himself based on matchups. He is skilled, has a great midrange and float game, and extremely high basketball IQ.”
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Riley averaged 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists during EYBL action and was named Offensive MVP of the EYBL Indy Session. Starring for UPlay Canada, he erupted for 42 points with six 3-pointers and five assists against Team Durant during opening night play in Indianapolis.
Riley spent the last two years at Phelps School, averaging 26.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists this past season while leading the Lions to a runner-up finish in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) tournament. He also had a marquee 40-point game vs. The Patrick School at the Hoop Group’s Lehigh Valley Showcase in February.
Additionally, he was named MVP of the 2024 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during NBA All-Star Weekend.