Illinois star Keaton Wagler lands new NIL deal as Final Four spotlight explodes
The freshman star just keeps reeling them in...
Illinois star Keaton Wagler lands new NIL deal as Final Four spotlight explodes originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Everything about this moment feels bigger for Keaton Wagler and the Illinois Fighting Illini.
The wins. The stage. The pressure.
And now, the spotlight off the court is catching up just as fast. As Illinois prepares for a Final Four showdown against the UConn Huskies , its freshman star added another milestone to a season that already feels surreal. Wagler announced a new NIL partnership with TurboTax, expanding a growing portfolio that already includes Wendy's, CVS, and NBA 2K.
It’s not just another endorsement. It’s a reflection of how quickly everything has changed. From overlooked recruit to center stage Not long ago, Wagler was just another name in the 2025 recruiting class, a three-star prospect without the kind of hype that usually follows future stars.