Canadian Will Riley cemented his status as a rising star and etched his name in the record books with a remarkable performance at the 2024 Nike EYBL Indianapolis session.
Playing for UPLAY Canada U17, the 6-foot-9 guard erupted for a staggering 42 points, the most ever scored by a Canadian player in the EYBL circuit since its inception in 2010. His offensive firepower spearheaded UPLAY to a convincing 100-60 victory over Team Durant from Maryland.
While Riley dominated later in the game, he started slow, scoring just three points from free throws in the first quarter. Looking to involve his teammates, he missed his initial attempts from the field, and UPLAY trailed 21-19 after the first eight minutes.
However, the highly-touted Canadian prospect didn’t take long to heat up. He erupted in the second quarter, pouring in 12 points to finish the half with 15 and a 44-33 lead for UPLAY Canada.
Unstoppable 27 second half points
The shot making and full arsenal of creativity continued in the third-quarter, as Riley added another 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting, extending UPLAY’s lead and pushing his personal total to 25.
By the fourth quarter, Riley was simply unstoppable. He splashed three consecutive three-pointers, raining down points on Team Durant’s defense. In that final frame alone, he outscored Team Durant’s entire team, who could only muster a combined 12 points.
He capped off his incredible performance with a dazzling steal and a thunderous fast-break dunk, showcasing his impressive athleticism. Remarkably, he shot an unbelievable 11-of-13 from the field in the second half alone.
Will Riley record-setting night
Riley’s 42-point performance wasn’t just impressive, it was historic. He surpassed the previous record for most points scored by a Canadian in the EYBL circuit, previously held by RJ Barrett with a 41-point performance in 2017.
Following his record-breaking performance, Riley is averaging a solid 21.5 points per game, along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 31.1 minutes across seven games.
This record-breaking night further fuels the hype surrounding Riley, who is projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
UPLAY secured a dominant win, improving their record to a solid 4-3. Earlier in the EYBL circuit, they secured victories over City Rocks and The Family at the opening session in Memphis.
They also emerged victorious against Team Thad in Atlanta for their third win. Notably, the lone Canadian squad dropped two close games by a combined four points (against Team Takedown and Team Herro).
Reclassification and college choice looms
The possibility of reclassifying to play college a year earlier adds another layer to Riley’s decision-making process.
This route has been a successful one for previous Canadian standouts like Jamal Murray (Kentucky, 2016), RJ Barrett (Duke, 2018), and most recently, Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky, 2022).
All three players bypassed their senior year of high school to immediate stardom in the NCAA before being selected in the lottery of the NBA Draft.
He has narrowed down his list to five potential suitors: NCAA powerhouses Kentucky, Arizona, Arkansas, and Alabama, along with a surprising inclusion – Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL).
Canadian International debut on horizon
It’s highly expected that Riley will make his final decision following the completion of the EYBL circuit and his potential international debut at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This upcoming tournament could provide another opportunity for Riley to showcase his talent on the international scene.
