Good Morning, Illini Nation: Wagler weighs in
May 15—Keaton Wagler shared the Illinois backcourt with Kylan Boswell for 30 games this past season. From the season opener against Jackson State in early November all the way through to the Final Four in early April. Wagler emerged as Illinois' go-to player — and eventually Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a consensus Second Team All-American — during the course of the 2025-26 season.
But the Illini freshman had plenty of support from his veteran teammate. That's something Wagler addressed during his Wednesday media availability at the NBA draft combine in Chicago. "He helped me grow as a player and even just as a person outside of basketball," the one-and-done Illini said.
"He taught me a lot of things, and I learned from his experiences that he had. Him being open to taking me under his wing and teach me is something not a lot of people would do. Him being willing to give me the ball and let me have the ball in my hands when it's his last year in college says a lot about him.
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