JUST IN: An Insider Reveals Arizona 5-Star Has Announce His Commitment Decision…

5-Star Forward Will Riley to Announce Commitment

Canadian prospect Will Riley, highly sought after by the new Kentucky regime and currently with three crystal ball predictions favoring Illinois, is set to announce his college decision on Sunday, June 23.

Riley, a 5-star forward, recently updated his Top 5 choices to include Arizona, Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, and the New Zealand Breakers of Australia’s National Basketball League. He visited Illinois on June 3, Kentucky on June 4, and Alabama on June 6, before finalizing his list on June 13.

Riley’s Fit at Arizona
Riley visited Arizona in March and has had ample time to consider joining the Wildcats. Although he is currently part of the Class of 2025, he is a strong candidate to reclassify to this year’s recruiting cycle. If he reclassifies, Arizona’s small forward position could become crowded with returning sophomore KJ Lewis and incoming Campbell transfer Anthony Dell’Orso already on the roster. This could result in Riley being a backup or even a third-string small forward.

Top Contenders: Illinois and Kentucky
Illinois and Kentucky have emerged as the primary contenders for Riley. Both teams have seen significant roster changes this offseason and are looking to rebuild.

Illinois
Illinois, led by head coach Brad Underwood, has made significant moves, including adding former Wildcat starter Kylan Boswell and Notre Dame forward Carey Booth. With only three players returning from last year’s roster and only Ty Rogers playing over 30 games, Riley could have a quick path to playing time at Illinois. All three crystal ball predictions on his 247 Sports page favor Illinois, where he would be the highest-graded recruit in either class but would still face competition from returning and incoming players.

Kentucky
Kentucky, now under former BYU head coach Mark Pope, aims to maintain its status as a basketball powerhouse following John Calipari’s move to Arkansas. With significant roster turnover, including the departures of star freshmen Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard and Antonio Reeves, Kentucky has brought in transfers Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr, and Jaxson Robinson to compete for the small forward spot. Riley would face a crowded field to earn playing time.

Conclusion
With many roster spots and scholarships already allocated for 2024, Riley’s late decision on whether to reclassify has put him at a disadvantage. Both Arizona and Kentucky have several options for the small forward position. Therefore, it is expected that Riley will commit to Illinois, where he can make an immediate impact under Brad Underwood’s coaching.