Noah Riley: The Versatile Atlanta Guard Ready to Make His Statement
- Jake Sands
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Jake Sands- November 20, 2025
For Lakeside High School’s Noah Riley, basketball has never just been a sport — it’s been a pathway to growth, discipline, and self-belief. Standing tall in Atlanta’s competitive hoops scene, the Class of 2026 guard has spent years shaping his game, drawing inspiration from NBA superstar Kevin Durant and rising phenom Anthony Edwards. Their influence shows in his blend of smooth athleticism, explosive movement, and relentless downhill attacking ability. But for Riley, this season isn’t about comparisons. It’s about making a statement of his own.
Riley recently competed in the High School All-American Showcase in Atlanta, where he thrived against high-level competition. The stage gave him a chance to prove what he already knew about himself: he can get downhill, get to the basket with ease, and use his athleticism to play above the rim. “I liked the level of competition,” Riley said. “It gave me the chance to showcase my athleticism, my willingness to attack, and my playmaking.”
Playmaking might be his most underrated gift. Though naturally a guard, Riley’s versatility gives his coaches options — point guard, shooting guard, small forward, whatever the moment calls for. His ability to rebound, facilitate, defend multiple positions, and jumpstart an offense makes him one of Lakeside’s most complete players heading into the 2025–26 season.
But Riley isn’t satisfied with what he already does well. This year, he’s attacking his weaknesses just as hard as he attacks the basket. He’s focused on boosting his shooting percentages from three and inside the arc — the kind of self-awareness and accountability that separates good players from great ones. His goals for his senior season are ambitious but grounded: average around 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5–6 assists, and 4 steals per game, all while becoming the leader his team needs. For Riley, leadership isn’t about titles or moments — it’s about consistency, example-setting, and guiding Lakeside on a deep playoff run. “I want us to win our region and really make a statement this year,” he says.
His work ethic backs that mindset. Riley dedicates his school days to a 45-minute weightlifting class, followed by a second lifting session after school before practice even begins. On recovery days, he takes care of his body with stretching and ice — small details that fuel big performance. His stamina, strength, and effort reflect the habits of a player chasing long-term success, not short-term attention.
Looking ahead, Riley wants to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level. While he doesn’t have a dream school locked in just yet, he’s drawn to programs close to home — schools like Clayton State University, Clark Atlanta University, and Claflin University.
Whichever program recruits him will be getting more than a versatile athlete; they’ll be getting a worker. A competitor. A player who prides himself on endurance, energy, and doing the little things that win games. “Coaches can expect someone who works hard and believes he can be a vital part of the team’s success,” Riley says.
From his commitment to training to his leadership goals for Lakeside, Noah Riley is preparing for the kind of season that can transform a player’s future. He’s not just trying to keep up with the competition — he’s trying to rise above it, one possession, one rep, one day at a time.
This year, Riley isn’t just aiming to shine. He’s aiming to make his statement — and everyone in Atlanta is about to hear it.
