Illinois Freshman G Keaton Wagler Declares for NBA Draft

Wagler led the Fighting Illini to the Final Four in his debut season.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:10am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's jump shot broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange, conveying the dynamic energy and rapid rise of Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler.Keaton Wagler's decision to forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft after just one standout season at Illinois reflects the growing trend of top prospects skipping the traditional college path.Champaign Today

Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler, a consensus second-team All-American, has announced he will declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. Wagler led the Fighting Illini to a 28-9 record and their first Final Four appearance since 2005 this past season.

Why it matters

Wagler's decision to turn pro after just one season in college is a significant loss for the Illinois basketball program, but it also highlights his immense talent and potential at the next level. As a highly touted recruit, his rapid rise to stardom and early entry into the NBA Draft could inspire other top high school prospects to consider skipping college altogether.

The details

The 6-foot-6 Wagler topped Illinois with 17.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 34 total steals per game in starting all 37 contests. He also averaged 5.1 rebounds and shot 44.5% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. Wagler established new program records amongst freshmen for total points (663) and scoring average, and tied the freshman record for 3-pointers made (87). He was named the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year as well as first-team All-Big Ten and the conference freshman of the year.

  • Wagler announced his decision to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft on Saturday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Keaton Wagler

A 6-foot-6 freshman guard who led the Illinois Fighting Illini to the Final Four in his debut season, earning consensus second-team All-American honors and being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, who helped develop Wagler into a star player in his first year with the program.

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What they’re saying

“This past year has been the journey of a lifetime. I never could have imagined what this season had in store for us. Our Final Four run is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

— Keaton Wagler

“The Illini fans are the best in the world. I'll never forget the feeling of hearing State Farm Center go crazy for the kid from Shawnee, Kansas. Thank you to Coach (Brad) Underwood and the entire Illinois staff for believing in me when others did not.”

— Keaton Wagler

What’s next

Wagler will now focus on preparing for the 2026 NBA Draft, where he is projected to be a lottery pick.

The takeaway

Keaton Wagler's decision to declare for the NBA Draft after just one standout season at Illinois highlights the increasing trend of top high school prospects skipping college to turn professional. His rapid rise to stardom and early entry into the draft could inspire other elite talents to follow a similar path, potentially disrupting the traditional college basketball landscape.