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Illinois Basketball Coach: Will Riley "A Great Fit" - Armchair Illinois
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Illinois Basketball Coach: Will Riley “A Great Fit”

Brad Underwood states that Will Riley is a “great fit” to what the Illini were hoping to cap their offseason with.

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6 months ago

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Mar 20, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks to the media during the NCAA first round practice session at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball coach Brad Underwood met with the media and gave his thoughts on the signing of Will Riley. Per Underwood, Riley is a “great fit” for what Illinois is trying to achieve and is looking for. Underwood credited Orlando Antigua’s relationships and Adam Fletcher’s reputation as a top-shelf strength and conditioning coach in landing Riley. The Illini coach also highlighted Will’s elite ability to score at all three levels to fill in the void left by former Illini, Terrence Shannon Jr, and Coleman Hawkins.

Riley is a 6-foot 8-inch wing who averaged an impressive 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during the recent EYBL circuit. One of the games that started the buzz for Will Riley was when he scored 42 points against Team Durant while Brad Underwood and Orlando Antigua sat courtside.

Headlines.

Brad Underwood has recruited two future stars who just won a Gold Medal with Team USA prior to their time with Illinois Basketball.

Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Illini made headlines when they signed five-star guard Will Riley. After the commitment was announced, Riley signed with the Illini and intends to reclassify into the class of 2024. He will certainly work diligently with coach Adam Fletcher to bulk up for the physicality of college basketball. However, Riley is not a young player jumping up a class. In fact, he is currently 18 years old, hence it is fitting that the 2025 NBA draft prospect reclassifies to jumpstart that timeline.

Look for the prolific scorer to be one of the most relied-upon scorers on this Illinois Basketball roster. Riley may not have the numbers that this player put up due to the team being a lot better, but think of former Nebraska guard, Bryce Mcgowens.

 

 

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