Illini Freshmen Reflect on Sensational Season

Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic led Illinois to the Final Four in their debut campaign.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 4:57am

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Illinois freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic reflect on their standout debut seasons with the Fighting Illini, which included leading the team to the Final Four - the program's most successful season in over 20 years. Wagler and Mirkovic earned numerous individual accolades, with Wagler projected as a potential NBA lottery pick after just one year in college.

Why it matters

The success of these two freshmen represents a major turnaround for the Illinois basketball program, which has struggled in recent years. Their performances have generated excitement and renewed hope among Illini fans, while also raising questions about whether Wagler will leave for the NBA after just one season.

The details

Wagler and Mirkovic were instrumental in driving Illinois' surprise run to the Final Four this past season. Wagler in particular emerged as a star, earning multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors and taking on a leadership role for the team as a first-year player. Mirkovic also had a standout debut campaign after coming to Illinois from overseas.

  • The 2025-26 season was the most successful for the Illinois basketball program in over 20 years.
  • Wagler and Mirkovic were freshmen during the 2025-26 season.

The players

Keaton Wagler

A freshman guard from Shawnee, Kansas who emerged as a star player for Illinois, earning multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors and leading the team to the Final Four. He is projected as a potential NBA lottery pick after just one season in college.

David Mirkovic

A freshman player for Illinois who also had a standout debut campaign, helping lead the team to the Final Four. Mirkovic came to Illinois from overseas.

Kylan Boswell

An Illini player who praised Wagler's performance, calling him "one of the best freshmen to walk across this campus."

Jake Davis

An Illini junior forward who echoed similar praise for Wagler, saying his banner will hang in the State Farm Center forever.

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What they’re saying

“He's one of the best freshmen to walk across this campus. What he's done for this team all year. A freshman, you put the ball in his hands like 90% of the time; asking him to make the right decisions, and he constantly makes the right decisions; asking him to make tough shots, and he makes tough shots; helping lead a team to a Final Four. He's one of a kind, he's very special.”

— Kylan Boswell, Illini Player

“That's one of the greats, I mean, his banner is going to go up in State Farm [Center], it's going to hang in there forever, which it should. Keaton is a phenomenal player, a phenomenal person on and off the court. I'm super happy for him and I hope he has a very prosperous career after this.”

— Jake Davis, Illini Junior Forward

“When I committed here, I never expected that Illinois is going to grow [to mean] this much to me, and that I'm going to have this much fun. Beautiful, beautiful memories.”

— David Mirkovic, Illini Freshman

“Learned a lot of lessons, met a lot of really great people, good coaches, love every single one of them.”

— Keaton Wagler

What’s next

Wagler is expected to declare for the NBA Draft, where he is projected to be a lottery pick. The Illini will look to build on their successful season and return to the Final Four in 2026-27.

The takeaway

The breakout seasons of Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic have revitalized the Illinois basketball program, leading the team to its most successful campaign in over 20 years. While Wagler's future remains uncertain, the Illini have established themselves as a rising power in the Big Ten and a team to watch in the years to come.