Kentucky is currently hosting a 5-star reclass candidate on an official visit as Malvern (Pa.) Phelps School 5-star forward Will Riley is on campus in Lexington.
Riley (6-8, 180), who is ranked No. 16 overall in the 2025 class according to the industry average 247Sports Composite but is still considering reclassifying to 2024, named a top five of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, and the NBL (Australia) last month, but is fresh off an official visit to Illinois. He will visit Alabama directly following his visit to UK.
According to 247Sports national recruiting analyst Travis Branham, Riley is expected to make a decision on a potential reclass and school shortly after wrapping up this round of visits.
Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Riley was named the Most Valuable Player of the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in February at NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
At the Nike EYBL stop in Indianapolis last month, Riley averaged 25.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 69.1% overall and making 9 of 15 three-pointers (60%) for UPLAY Canada, including a 42-point performance on 15 of 16 shooting, including a perfect 5 of 5 from 3-point range in a 100-60 win over Team Durant.
“Riley is one of the more intriguing long-term prospects in the class with terrific size and length to go with a very adaptable skill set, able to function as a playmaker as well as a scorer,” Branham noted. “He is one of the biggest risers of the spring thus far and is expected to make a leap up the rankings come next update.”
Riley is guiding UPLAY to a 6-4 record this travel season with averages of 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 10 games.
Riley ranked Kentucky in his top five last month, even though head coach John Calipari left to coach Arkansas, and in his top 10 in March. Riley was being watched in Indianapolis by Alvin Brooks III, Jason Hart, Cody Fueger, and new UK coach Mark Pope.
Riley gave an explanation of his next stop’s search objectives.
“I don’t want to be put in positions I’m like not used to. I could always adjust to that, but it would just be better to get put in the right spots, the right scenarios. Also a coach that sees my potential and knows where I want to get to. I have goals in mind. I talk to them about my goals and hopefully they can help me get there,” Riley said.
Riley declared, “I can shoot and pass and I’m positionless.” “I feel like I’ve worked on it enough to show that I’m a pretty good passer, but people often overlook my passing. High-rated prospects frequently come up short. However, I think I can improve my team.”
Kentucky will only have one scholarship available in 2024.
Pope declared lately that “the 13th scholarship is a floating piece.” “A young player might find a home there. A senior player who plans to take a redshirt year may be able to use it. It might serve as a project location. It might be suitable for a man who takes risks.”
