UCLA keeps Cody Riley close to home
Chatsworth, CA
A major mismatch in the half-court setting due to his physical capabilities, Cody Riley has always been a well-followed and priority recruit since he hit the high school ranks a few years back. Today, the west coast target came off the board by committing to UCLA, solidifying the Bruins case for a top-five class with less than a month to go before the early signing period.
Attending Sierra Canyon High School in California, located less than a 30-minute drive from the campus at UCLA, Riley has been a heavy lean in favor for the Pac 12 program for the past year or so. While it took a little bit of time before deciding to call it a day with his recruitment, the landing of the top-60 forward gives Steve Alford’s crew another hard playing and ready-made recruit that should be able to step in and leave an imprint early on next year in Westwood.
Riley, a lefty power forward that stands at 6-foot-7 but boasts a 6-foot-11 wingspan, sports a very sturdy and strong physical makeup. He is someone that would much rather play facing the basket out of the high post setting as he can knock down the elbow jumper with consistency, yet has the toughness in knifing through the defense prior to the difficult conversion, or making the proper kick out pass as a playmaker of sorts.
Running on the Nike EYBL circuit this past summer with the Phoenix Phamily bunch, the west coast recruit displayed vast capabilities from 20-feet and in. While his field goal numbers need some work, the top-60 recruit is someone that never shies away from contact as he was able to get to the foul line over five times per game. Averaging nearly 14 points and eight rebounds along with an assist and block per contest, Riley should have no issues helping secure further success for Alford’s bunch at UCLA.
The fourth commitment in the 2017 class and the third coming within the top-60 of the 2017 HoopSeen Top-125 Rankings, Riley joins three others from the state of California in creating an excellent, top-five recruiting class. Jaylen Hands remains the headliner of the group where the quick lead guard will be joined by Jalen Hill and LiAngelo Ball, two pieces in the frontcourt, in creating a strong, four-man class heading into the early signing period next month.
