April 2, 2026, 6:59 p.m. ET
After facing the Philadelphia 76ers again on Wednesday, Washington Wizards rookie Will Riley earned high praise from forward Paul George for his potential on the court.
George dropped a season-high 39 points, six assists and five rebounds in the contest, leading the Sixers to the 153-132 victory at Capital One Arena. On the other side, Riley finished with 18 points for his sixth straight game in double figures.
The two players were matched up throughout the contest, giving George a firsthand look at Riley. The nine-time All-Star came away from the game impressed with Riley and believes the 21st overall pick is on track to have a solid career.
He is good. He has got a bright future. I love his aggressiveness. I love his assertiveness. He can dribble. He can do a lot of things, I’ve watched film on him: Dribble, handle, playmake, score. He can do a little bit of everything on the court. It is great for him here. He is playing with confidence. I see a lot of myself in him.
Riley is averaging 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 33.2% from 3-point range in 68 appearances with the Wizards. He is one of 10 first-year players with seven or more 20-point performances this season.
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The 20-year-old is fresh off his best month as a professional, averaging 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 16 games in March. He was recognized by the league as one of the players nominated for Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
Riley has showcased his overall skill set and growth throughout the season, proving to be a versatile scorer who can finish at the rim with relative ease. He is emerging as a franchise cornerstone and earning the respect of his peers along the way.
Note: Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire contributed to this story