Illinois Freshman Wagler Earns 6th Big Ten Weekly Honor

Guard averages 26 points, 5 assists in standout week for Fighting Illini

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Illinois men's basketball guard Keaton Wagler has been named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week for the sixth time this season. Wagler averaged 26 points, 5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in two games last week, shooting 50% from the field and 43% from three-point range.

Why it matters

Wagler's consistent standout performances as a freshman have helped propel the Illinois Fighting Illini to a strong season and top-10 national ranking. His six weekly honors are the second-most in program history, trailing only Kofi Cockburn's seven in 2019-20, underscoring Wagler's impact as one of the top young players in the Big Ten.

The details

Wagler scored a game-high 34 points with 7 assists against Wisconsin, the third-highest scoring performance ever by an Illini freshman. Earlier this season, he set a Big Ten freshman high with 46 points at Purdue. Wagler followed up with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a win over Indiana.

  • Wagler's award was announced on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • The games Wagler excelled in were played from February 9-15, 2026.

The players

Keaton Wagler

A freshman guard for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team.

Kofi Cockburn

A former Illinois player who holds the program record with 7 Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors in the 2019-20 season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Keaton Wagler's standout freshman season for the Illinois Fighting Illini continues to impress, with the guard earning his sixth Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor. His consistent high-level play has been a key factor in Illinois' strong season and top-10 national ranking.