The hero of Illinois’ Final Four run wasn’t always a highly touted prospect: 'One of the fabulous stories'
Keaton Wagler wasn't on the radar of many top programs coming out of high school, but he's exceeded all expectations in leading the Illini to their first Final Four in 21 years.
As recently as two summers ago, Keaton Wagler was a little-known recruit playing off the main AAU circuits. Hometown University of Missouri-Kansas City was the only Division I school to offer Wagler prior to the summer before his senior year of high school. More established mid-majors began to show interest during that critical recruiting period as Wagler outplayed player after player ranked higher than he was.
It wasn’t until the Illinois staff watched film of Wagler after that summer and became enamored with the tall but slender guard that the Illini finally swooped in late and stole him. What happened next altered the trajectory of Illinois basketball and turned a very good Illini team into a threat to win this year’s national title. Wagler has evolved into one of the top playmaking guards in this year’s loaded freshman class, blossoming from overlooked recruit to projected top-10 draft pick in a span of mere months.
Everything that makes Wagler special was on display Saturday evening as third-seeded Illinois overcame ninth-seeded Iowa 71-59 to win an all-Big Ten Elite Eight clash . Wagler piled up a game-high 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting, sending the Illini to the Final Four for the first time in 21 years. It’s difficult to pinpoint Wagler’s most remarkable highlight because he had a few that should be contenders to make One Shining Moment.
Was it this spinning layup that banked high off the glass and went down to tie the score with just over 16 minutes to play in the second half? SCOOP-AND-SCORE! What a finish from Wagler.
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