The Washington Wizards have assembled one of the most exciting young cores of any rebuilding team in the league and part of that is exactly why the notion about the team has drastically changed over the last year or so.
As an organization that was once considered the location NBA careers went to die, the Wizards have slowly but surely changed that narrative and it all started with the trend that Alex Sarr set when he silently forced his way to Washington in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Between Sarr, the recent aquisition of four-time All-Star Trae Young, who listed the Wizards as his preferred landing spot and now Anthony Davis openly stating his intrigue with the team's future vision, things are trending up for the long-time medicore squad.
Not to mention, outside of Sarr, Washington has several other key pieces that have helped put the Wizards back on the map with the likes of emerging sophomore Kyshawn George and standout rookie Tre Johnson turning heads throughout the start of the regular season.
However, Sarr, George and Johnson aren't the only youngsters on the roster who have made their future fit on the roster clear this season.
In fact, over the recent stretch for the Wizards ahead of the NBA All-Star Break, yet another rookie is making his case to be a lock in the team's future plans.
Will Riley is making a statement with recent tear
Will Riley was selected with the No. 21 overall pick in the first-round of the 2025 NBA Draft and while everyone knew the upside was immense, the Illinois product was overshadowed by the selection of Johnson at No. 6 overall.
Up to this point of the season, Riley hasn't carved out as large of a role as Johnson has, but with breakout G-League performances and the flashes shown in his limited reps on the active roster, the 20-year-old has seen his opportunites increase over the last month or so.
Through five games in February, the 6-foot-8 guard is averaging 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals, while shooting 49.3% from field goal range and 46.4% from beyond the arc.
Riley looks every bit and more of the player that scouts suggested he could develop into and if he continues to play with the recent confidence he's showcased, it'll be hard for the Wizards to not increase his role moving forward.
Washington has several intriguing prospects on the roster and for that, head coach Brian Keefe will have his hands full in a good way moving forward.
There's no reason Riley can't be just as important of a piece in the team's core as the players mentioned above and based off his play through this month, the wing is proving exactly that.