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CHAMPAIGN — Basketball awards geared toward a specific position haven't exactly aged well with the changing landscape of the sport as a whole.

Sure, point guards and centers are a little easier to define. The other three spots on the field? Good luck trying to pigeonhole some of college basketball's stars.

The preseason watch list for the Karl Malone Award was released last Thursday. Considered the best power forward in the country, the winner has gone to San Diego State's Jaedon LeDee, Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis, Iowa's Keegan Murray, Gonzaga's Drew Timme and Dayton's Obi Toppin over the past five seasons.

This year's group of preseason honorees reads like a who's who of power forwards. Guys like Connecticut's Alex Karaban, Houston's J'Wan Roberts, Alabama's Grant Nelson and Arizona's Trey Townsend were obviously there.

Then there’s Auburn’s Johni Broome. Plus Norchad Omier from Baylor and Graham Ike from Gonzaga. Will they actually play against the 5 this season? Yes, probably. But at least you can manipulate it a little and say they are power forwards.

Will Riley's inclusion on the Karl Malone Award watchlist is a little trickier to figure out. Illinois coach Brad Underwood hasn't gone as far as first-year Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington and listed all 18 of his players as point guards, but Riley's reality is probably closer to being the next great power forward, Like the highly touted five-star recruit, his college career begins Monday night when Illinois takes on Eastern Illinois in the season opener at State Farm Center at 7 p.m.

“I think one of the things that interests me about Will is that we played him on and off the ball to find where he feels most comfortable,” Underwood said. “He’s a great playmaker so we want him to have some comfort on the ball. He’s also a guy who catches and shoots very, very effectively.”

Riley is listed as a forward on Illinois' roster. On the website there had to be a letter next to the name of the 1.90 meter tall newcomer. But trying to pigeonhole the former five-star recruit, who averaged 26.5 points, six rebounds and 4.1 assists during the 2023-24 season at Phelps School (Pa.), is one futile exercise.

Underwood said Riley is just “a guy that just knows how to play.” The Illinois coach even compared Riley's passion for basketball to Michael Beasley, who played at Kansas State when Underwood was an assistant coach with the Wildcats.

“A guy whose ball goes in all the time,” Underwood said of Riley. “He can play with it at (6-8) and reach his spots. He doesn't need a screen to score, but one of the best things he does is pass. He is a great competitor. I'm excited to see where his game can take us because he has a really high ceiling.

“He is a scholar. He loves the game, wants to learn it and remembers everything. I'm really excited about Will. Whatever position he plays, he will be effective at it.”

The people at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame who give out the Karl Malone Award obviously think that position is power forward. It's on record that Riley doesn't care what position he plays for Illinois this season.

“I feel comfortable doing whatever it takes to win on this team,” said the Kitchener, Ontario native. “Whatever this is – whatever they need me for – I’m here.”

Because Riley found what he was looking for in Champaign when he decided to reclassify and begin his college basketball career now. He dominated in his final high school basketball season in Pennsylvania. Then again in the spring on the Nike EYBL circuit, where he was a top-five scorer without the benefit of a Peach Jam run to boost his stats.

Because he was already on campus at Illinois.

“Honestly, just playing with high school kids, I always needed more competitiveness,” Riley said. “I needed more. That's what I came here for. … It was a very long process. However, it was a thoughtful process. I knew I was ready.”

Ready to be tested at the next level? Secure. Physically ready? That's what the last four months have been for, with Riley gaining 15 pounds since July with Illinois strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher.

The added strength has given Riley more security and confidence on defense. Working in the gym with the Illinois coaches has further refined his game, with an emphasis on the ability to change tempo and playing on both feet.

The outside expectations for Riley are extremely high. Some consider him a one-of-a-kind player at Illinois, and Illini coaches don't exactly treat him with kid gloves. He's being pushed by Underwood and co.

“Every player is different in that capacity,” Underwood said. “With him he says, 'Just keep playing, let me play.' What we do offensively isn't too complicated because it's conceptual. It's just a matter of separating the guys and playing against them – probably more NBA-style than college-style. His versatility, he comes into the game at 6-8, he is very effective, a tough opponent and he has really good skills with the ball. Especially with the size.”

Classic power forward right there.