Will Riley’s recent stretch foreshadows an inevitable breakout for the Wizards

The Washington Wizards selection of Will Riley in the 2025 NBA Draft was overshadowed by an abundance of other headlines.

Between the nightmare scenario of Washington falling out of the top five, top prospect Ace Bailey unsuccessefully attempting to force his way to the Wizards and Tre Johnson eventually being the team's top draft pick, Riley's addition in the backhalf of the first-round was overlooked.

After a standout season at Illinois, proving to be one of the best freshman in the nation, averaging 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.,2 assists on efficient shooting splits of 43% from field goal range and 32.5% from beyond the arc.

Riley didn't just showcase his talent and feel for the game as a sixth man with the Fighting Illini, but he proved his next-level basketball IQ and ability to have an offense run through him.

Landing in Washington, the fit seemed like the perfect opportunity for Riley to put his talent on full display and based on the start to his rookie campaign, that proved to be the case.

With standout performances with the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards' G-League affiliate, and consistent flashes on the active roster when given the opportunity, head coach Brian Keefe's intrigue in the oversized guard's potential has grown obvious.

And based on Riley's recent stretch, it's making one thing about the guard's future crystal clear.

Will Riley's breakout is inevitable

Through the month of February, Riley's emergence has been hard not to talk about.

In an increased role, the versatile wing is averaging 14.2 points 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists, while shooting an efficient 47.7% from field goal range and 38.5% from three.

Not to mention, the 20-year-old has shown defensive potential too, averaging just under one steal per game at 0.9.

Beyond how impressive Riley's numbers are on its own, when comparing him to the rest of the rookie class, it makes his recent stretch just that much more notable.

Riley has truly emerged as one of the top talents in the 2025 NBA Draft class and as his role continues to increase, so will his confidence.

The talent is already there and when he finally puts it all together, it seems inevitable that he'll eventually be yet another breakout star for the Wizards.

Dare I say Rilley has a similar sophomore leap to Wizards' rising star Kyshawn George?

Only time will tell, but for now, it's hard not to be encouraged by what Riley has shown down the stretch of the regular season in Washington.