Illinois gets brutal Keaton Wagler NBA Draft news after Final Four loss
Illinois were likely disappointed by a recent report about their 6-foot-6 star guard.
Illinois gets brutal Keaton Wagler NBA Draft news after Final Four loss originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Illinois was expected to be an NCAA Tournament team this past season, but few envisioned it reaching the Final Four for the first time in two decades (they ultimately suffered a 71-62 loss to UConn).
Superstar freshman guard Keaton Wagler was the catalyst in the Fighting Illini’s successful 2025-26 campaign, as he averaged 17. 9 points, 5. 1 rebounds, and 4.
2 assists per game as the program’s No. 1 playmaker. While Illinois comprehends that Wagler is undoubtedly a first-round NBA Draft talent, it’s reasonable to assume they were holding out hope he would return to the University for another season.
Unfortunately, recent news surrounding the Shawnee, Kansas native suggests otherwise. “Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler – ranked No. 5 in ESPN's Top 100 – has declared for the 2026 NBA draft,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on X/Twitter Saturday.