Illinois guard Keaton Wagler has declared for the NBA Draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Jeremy Woo report.
Wagler emerged as a star for the Illini this season and led the program to its first Final Four in 21 years. He was an under-the-radar recruit turned Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Consensus All-American, All-Big Ten First Team Selection and won the Jerry West Award.
Wagler started all 37 games for Illinois and averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and shot 44.5% from the field and 39.7% on 3-pointers.
He set the program’s freshman scoring record (663), scoring average (17.9) tied for the most made 3-point field goals by a freshman in program history (87) and had the third-most assists by a freshman in program history (157). He scored 20+ points in 11 games this season, setting the program’s freshman record.
Wagler had the third-most points in a single season in program history (663) and will have his jersey in the State Farm Center rafters after being named a Consensus All-American.
CBSSports’ Adam Finkelstein projects Wagler as the No. 5 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and Wagler is widely projected to be a top-10 pick in the draft.
What it means: This isn’t a surprising move for Wagler, who is on the cusp of life-changing money and a top-10 selection in the NBA Draft. Anything short of him declaring for the draft would have been downright shocking. He’ll get his jersey in the rafters after one of the best seasons in program history and the best freshman season in program history. Wagler was also the best story in college basketball. He was ranked No. 261 in the Composite rankings and was an off-the-path recruit turned college basketball star. Wagler had one other high-major offer (Minnesota) but bought into the Illini’s vision for him and far exceeded even the most generous expectations for him this season. He’s the best sell of evaluation and development of the Underwood-era and furthered what has been an excellent string of guard development at Illinois.
Why it matters: Illinois must replace its starting backcourt, officially. Wagler heading to the NBA was the expectation and guard Kylan Boswell is out of eligibility. Illinois added Quentin Coleman, 247Sports’ No. 35-ranked player in the class, and will add via the transfer portal to rebuild its backcourt. Coleman is expected to have a big role this season, and is likely to replace Wagler as the on-ball facilitator offensively. Those are quite lofty expectations, but Illinois is also shooting big in the transfer portal for a guard and has other facilitating options offensively, including forward David Mirkovic. Big picture, Illinois will now have its third one-and-done in two years — the first three in program history — and will have a first-round draft pick in three consecutive NBA Drafts. Illinois is already busy pursuing backcourt options in the transfer portal.
Head coach Brad Underwood said following the Final Four loss to UConn: “It’s what college sports is about, should be about, is that kid who was (ranked No. 261). He and his family will have decisions to make. To me, that’s what we’re here for is to help people better themselves and make themselves great. What a wonderful human being he is, what a wonderful family. He found success and that makes you smile.”