Will Riley is very much thinking about switching to the 2024 class, and he will probably make a decision shortly.
Will Riley, a 2025 wing, has emerged as one of the most impressive prospects this spring and might soon decide on his future.
Riley’s top choices are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, and the NBL. He is currently visiting schools and deciding whether to remain in the 2025 class or reclassify to 2024. Kentucky is heavily involved in his recruitment and is expected to host Riley in early June, according to a recent report.
With most of Kentucky’s roster already on campus, a decision about reclassifying will likely need to be made soon. Riley acknowledges the challenge, saying, “It’s a good problem to have when you have all really good options. I think I’ll have a decision on reclassifying by the middle of June or the end of June. I just have to weigh everything out.”
Kentucky has two available scholarships for next year, and coach Mark Pope has been clear about wanting to use them, potentially on a reclassification candidate.
Riley gained significant attention earlier this spring when he was named MVP of the Basketball Without Borders event during the NBA All-Star weekend. He followed a strong sophomore season at The Phelps School (Pa.) with an outstanding spring on the AAU Circuit. Playing for UPLAY on the Nike EYBL circuit, Riley had a standout game with a 42-point performance, shooting 15-of-16 from the floor.
Mark Pope witnessed Riley’s efficient and effective play firsthand in Indianapolis, where the 6-foot-8 wing averaged 25.8 points per game. Dushawn London, a 247Sports national analyst, noted, “The 6-foot-8 forward can not only shoot at a high level but also uses his size to get to his mid-range pull-up and has a smooth touch around the rim.”
Riley is ranked as the No. 16 overall player in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and the No. 3 small forward in his class. If Kentucky secures Riley for the 2024 class, it would be a significant addition to an already talented team, which still needs a few additional pieces, especially perimeter scoring. The next few weeks will be crucial for Pope and Kentucky.