4-star SF Tyrone Riley talks visits and timeline

Tyrone Riley is the No. 99 player in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. The 6-foot-5 wing earned California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division 3AA and the Camino Real League Player of the Year awards this season with St. Pius X-St. Matthias (CA).

“I’m an all-around player,” Riley told On3. “I like to model my game after someone like Kevin Durant. I’m lengthy and can do a little bit of everything on the floor. I try to be the best I can be on both ends of the floor and not be one-dimensional. One-dimensional players don’t make it. I’ve really focused on shooting for the last six months. That has helped me become more of a threat.”

Through April, the four-star is averaging 12.0 points and 1.2 steals for the West Coast Elite program on the Under Armour Next Circuit. On3 caught up with Tyrone Riley after a recent live viewing to talk about his recruitment.

Riley talks official visits

“I’ve taken two official visits so far, Cal and Texas A&M,” Riley said.

Texas A&M: “The SEC is big. My dad keeps telling me that with the SEC, you’re going to see the biggest and the best. We got into that arena, and everything was jumping. They had good students and fans that support. There is good energy there, good coaches, and good players. Being there was a wide awakening for me of what I’m looking for.

“They fit how I play. They let you get out and run and take shots. If you feel like you’ve got a good shot, they let you take it. I love playing like that.”

California-Berkley: “My visit was with the old staff. But I like the prestige of the school. The campus is beautiful, everything about it. They have all kinds of monuments and things to go see there. It’s a big campus with so much to do.”

Riley talks recruitment

“We’re trying to set something up with LSU and then my dad’s alma mater, San Francisco,” Riley said. “Not sure who the fifth visit will be with yet.”

San Francisco: “They’re a gritty team. They’re always overlooked in the WCC, so they play with a chip on their shoulder; they play aggressively and hard. They give their guards the freedom to get out and run, to get out and do their thing.”

LSU: “It’s another SEC school. They’ve been recruiting me hard lately. Even before they offered me, they were still in regular contact with me to make sure I was ok. Once they offered me, we have started to talk about visits, getting me out to campus soon.

“I watched them play a couple of times this year. They’re more of a freedom team and not a system team. I like they trust their guards to go and make plays.”

In his words

“The plan is to make my top schools in July,” Riley said. “I want to commit in the fall before we start playing high school ball.

“I want to play for a good coaching staff, one that I can trust. The players who are there, I want to mesh well with them. But mainly, I’ll be looking at the head coach. I want someone who can push me, like my high school coach and my dad pushes me. That is the only way that I can reach my full ability.

“I’m able to play in sets and in the half court. But I’m at my best when we get out and run. Play defense and get up the floor. But I can play in any system, really.”