Illinois Legend Dee Brown Praises Illini Star Keaton Wagler Ahead of Final Four

Brown believes Wagler is a top-10 NBA draft pick and hopes to see him play another year at Illinois

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:57am

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Former Illinois basketball All-American guard Dee Brown, who led the Illini to the 2005 Final Four, appeared as a guest on a Champaign radio show and gushed about current Illinois star Keaton Wagler. Brown called Wagler 'special' and said he's a top-10 NBA draft pick who has a chip on his shoulder after being underrecruited. Brown plans to attend the Illini's Final Four matchup against UConn this Saturday to cheer on the team.

Why it matters

Dee Brown is a beloved Illinois basketball legend, so his high praise of current star Keaton Wagler carries a lot of weight. Wagler has led the Illini to the Final Four, and Brown's comments highlight Wagler's potential as an NBA prospect and the excitement around the program's return to college basketball's biggest stage.

The details

Wagler is averaging 17.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game this season for the Illini. In the Elite Eight win over Iowa, he led the team with 25 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Brown believes Wagler is a top-10 NBA draft pick who came to Illinois not heavily recruited, but has blossomed into a star under coach Brad Underwood.

  • On March 28, 2026, Illinois defeated Iowa 71-59 in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
  • On March 29, 2026, UConn beat Duke 73-72 in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
  • On April 5, 2026, Illinois and UConn are scheduled to meet in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The players

Dee Brown

A former Illinois basketball All-American guard who led the Illini to the 2005 Final Four.

Keaton Wagler

The current Illinois star guard who has led the Illini to the 2026 Final Four, averaging 17.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game this season.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“He's special. I've been talking about him all year. When the basketball's in his hands, I'm at peace. Very good player, great size, can pass the ball, can shoot the ball. I just enjoy watching him play.”

— Dee Brown, Former Illinois Basketball Player

“He's a top-10 (NBA Draft) pick. He's got a chip on his shoulder. ... He came to Illinois not heavily recruited, and Brad (Underwood) believed in him and then put the basketball in his hands and then, play on, on that spotlight on that state of Illinois. He's done a great job of conducting himself on and off the court. I don't know what he's going to do next year, I kind of know what he's going to do next year, but I would love to watch him play another year in that jersey because he's really good.”

— Dee Brown, Former Illinois Basketball Player

What’s next

On Saturday, April 5, 2026, the Illinois Fighting Illini will face the UConn Huskies in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

Dee Brown's glowing endorsement of Keaton Wagler highlights the current Illinois star's potential as an NBA prospect and the excitement surrounding the Illini's return to the Final Four. Brown's comments underscore Wagler's journey from being underrecruited to blossoming into a dominant college player under coach Brad Underwood.