NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 4 teams for 5-star wing prospect Will Riley
![Illinois v Connecticut Illinois v Connecticut](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5593,h_3146,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/184/01j03mvg01qtrfdk6frh.jpg)
Alabama Crimson Tide
2024 class
With the return of All-American guard Mark Sears back along with the addition of Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi, Alabama has a case of being the preseason No. 1 team in NCAA Basketball next season. They also have plenty of offensive firepower on the wings, including transfers Chris Youngblood and Houston Mallette, as well as top-30 freshmen, Derrion Reid and Naasir Cunningham.
On one hand, Riley could join a national contender if he joins them this season, whereas they may have to rebuild a bit the year after. However, Riley not only likely wouldn’t start but it’s not a guaranteed he’d even be part of the main rotation as a true freshman. They could be too good for him to get meaningful minutes.
2025 class
There are two main advantages that Riley could have in waiting a year to pick Alabama. All of the top projected players on the current roster are all seniors and will be gone by the time he arrives. Plus, he’d get a good look at Reid and Cunningham and seeing how good they look as freshmen, if they even get minutes.
If one of them breaks out as a key piece, Riley’s role could very well change when he arrives. But he’d also have a great shot at having a sizeable role of his own as a true freshman for the 2025-26 campaign.