Paul George praises Wizards rookie Will Riley

76ers star sees similarities between himself and the young forward

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:39am

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Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George had high praise for Washington Wizards rookie forward Will Riley after their recent matchup. George noted that the 20-year-old Riley can do a little bit of everything on the court and reminds him of himself as a 'skinny kid' entering the league.

Why it matters

George's comments highlight the potential of the young Wizards player and draw parallels between Riley's versatile skillset and George's own development as an NBA star. This praise from an established veteran could boost Riley's confidence and profile as he continues his rookie season.

The details

In the game, the 6'9" Riley scored 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-6 from three-point range. George, who had a season-high 39 points in the 76ers' win, was impressed by Riley's all-around game, noting his ability to dribble, handle, playmake, and score. George said Riley is 'playing with confidence' and has a 'bright future' in the league.

  • The comments came after the Wizards-76ers game on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Paul George

A star forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who has been selected to the NBA All-Star team multiple times.

Will Riley

A 20-year-old rookie forward for the Washington Wizards who has shown promise with his versatile skillset in his first NBA season.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, he is good, he is good. He has got a bright future, I love his aggressivenes, I love his assertiveness. He can dribble, he can do a lot of things. You know, dribble, handle, playmake, score, he can do a little bit of everything on the court.”

— Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers Star

“So it's great, great for him here, he is playing with confidence. And I see a lot of myself in him.”

— Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers Star

The takeaway

Paul George's praise of Wizards rookie Will Riley highlights the young player's potential and versatility, drawing comparisons to George's own development as an NBA star. This recognition from an established veteran could boost Riley's confidence and profile as he continues his rookie season with the Wizards.