Class of 2025 5-star prospect Will Riley recently narrowed his options to five and included new University of Arkansas men’s basketball Coach John Calipari and the Razorback program.
Riley, 6-9, 190 pounds, of The Phelps School in Malvern, Pa., named Arkansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Alabama and the National Basketball League of Australia on April 24 as options. In March, his top 10 didn’t include Arkansas.
Calipari and assistant coach Chuck Martin’s move from Kentucky to Arkansas put the Hogs in contention for Riley, he said.
“I was communicating with Coach Cal when he was at Kentucky and also I was talking to the assistant coach as well, Coach Chuck, when they were at Kentucky and now just transferring over to Arkansas,” Riley said.
On3.com rates Riley as a 5-star recruit, the No. 2 small forward and No. 9 overall prospect in the nation for the 2025 class. Having Arkansas as one of his top options wasn’t too difficult, he said.
“I felt like it was the right decision because they’re very interested in me and I thought it would be good to put them on my list,” Riley said.
Riley said he has done some research online about the Hogs.
“A little bit. They have a very nice facility, of course,” Riley said. “Looks like a good location. It looks to be a pretty older school, but it’s nice.”
Calipari and Martin have been trying to educate Riley on Arkansas.
“They said they love the atmosphere there and they’re bringing everything they had (as the) Kentucky coaching staff wise over to Arkansas, so that should be good,” Riley said.
He also mentioned what attracted him to Calipari and Arkansas.
“I just like the NBA-type feel that it has with it over at Arkansas now,” he said. “Coach Cal coaches that kind of style and he’s good with that with developing players.”
The Razorbacks are trying to get Riley to Fayetteville for an official visit.
“I have not decided yet,” he said. “We’re talking about it.”
Riley hasn’t set a date for an official visit to his other top schools just yet.
“I was suppose to visit Alabama not too long ago, but Coach (Nate) Oats had surgery, so I had to reschedule it,” he said. “I’m not sure when, but I know I’m going to visit them sometime soon.”
He gave the status of other possible visits in his top five.
“I’m not really sure yet. I really haven’t thought about it,” Riley said. “The only one I know for sure is Alabama.”
Former Arkansas coach Eric Musselman and his staff extended a scholarship offer to Riley last May.
Riley said he appreciates how Calipari and Martin recruit him.
“They don’t overdo it, which is good,” Riley said. “They text me when it’s needed, They don’t ask for too much. It’s good.”
The first evaluation period for the spring starts at 8 a.m. on Friday and runs until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Riley, a Canada native, plays for UPLAY Canada on the Nike EYBL circuit.
The Nike EYBL Session III will be held in Indianapolis this weekend, and it’s a good bet the Arkansas staff will be courtside to watch Riley.
Riley was named the Nike EYBL Session II offensive MVP after averaging 23.7 points, 6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and a steal per game in Atlanta on May 3-5. He shot 50% from the field and 88% from the free-throw line.
He broke down his criteria on choosing a school.
“It’s definitely going to be the coaching style. It has to fit my style of play, so I can feel comfortable in what I’m doing and how I’m playing,” Riley said. “A good team with good people. I don’t want to be put around a bunch of guys who aren’t good people and I want to have that good feeling especially like leaving home again. I want to be around good people. Just like I was surrounded throughout all of high school and before that.”
On the road again
The Arkansas basketball staff is also expected to attend the Adidas 3SSB circuit in Bryan, Texas, and the Under Armour Association circuit in Ohio this weekend.
The staff is expected to see numerous prospects, including class of 2026 ESPN 5-star big man Sam Funches of Madison (Miss.) Germantown.
Funches, 6-11, 215 pounds, will play for Louisiana -based LivOn Basketball on the Nike EYBL circuit in Indianapolis.
Arkansas is also expected to watch Benton forward and 2025 ESPN 4-star Terrion Burgess, 6-9, 200 pounds, play for the 17-under Arkansas Hawks on the Adidas circuit.
