Will Riley's rookie breakout has been among the most exciting stories of the Washington Wizards frustrating season.
The first-round pick has emerged as one of the biggest hidden gems in from last year's NBA Draft class, and while he's yet to surpass his teammate Tre Johnson on the NBA's Rookie Rankings, his emergence in the DMV has already gained him fans, many of which were previous doubters of his.
The Illinois product has looked like one of the best rookies in the league over the last couple months, averaging 14+ points per game in each of the last two months, including a career-best month posing 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists on efficient shooting splits of 45.4% from field goal range and 34.2% from three during the month of March.
And while his strong showing over the last couple months may suggests he was one of he most NBA-ready prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft, the former Big Ten sixth man struggled to carve out rotation minutes for Washington through the start of the season.
So what's changed?
If you ask Riley, he'll say that his time in the G-League helped him turn things around.
Will Riley credits Capital City Go-Go stint for his growth
In a recent interview with analyst Rachel Nichols of Fox Sports, Riley opened up about his time in the G-League with the Capital City Go-Go.
The oversized guard explained how his time with the Wizards' G-League affiliate allowed for him to further his game:
“It helped me learn how to showcase every part of my game: ball-handling, playmaking and scoring.” Riley said.
Washington's young wing shined during his time with the Go-Go and his huge performances in front of head coach Brian Keefe may be the biggest reason for his extended opportunity on the active roster over the last couple months.
And with Riley rising to the occasion, he's put himself atop the rookie ladder alongside fellow first-round pick Kon Knueppel as the rookie's with the most points since February 1st.
Looking ahead, the sky is the limit and there's no reason why the 20-year-old can't be the next star to emerge in D.C.
Riley has everything needed to be a star
Riley has consistently showcased his upside as a scorer on offense, but what hasn't been talked about enough is his ability to handle the ball at the top of the key for Washington.
The playmaker has proven the ability to run offensive sets, and his passing skillset makes him an extremely intriguing talent at his size.
Washington has plenty of room for a young player to emerge as a cornerstone and if Riley can continue to build on what he's already shown, there's no reason that can't be him.