CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois All-American guard Keaton Wagler announced on Instagram Saturday that he is declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. This follows the most decorated freshman season ever by an Illini, where Wagler set program freshman records in the following categories: total points (663), scoring average (17.9 ppg), 20-point games (11), field goals (202), three-pointers (87), free throws (172), starts (37), minutes (1,254) and wins (28).
Wagler is the first Illini freshman to be named consensus All-American, and he also won the 2026 Jerry West Award. Wagler was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA South Regional after leading Illinois to its first Final Four appearance in 21 years.