Illinois freshman superstar Keaton Wagler publicly announced his decision to enter the 2026 NBA Draft on Sunday, April 12 2026, right after he finished one of the most decorated single-season campaigns among the Fighting Illini historical record holders. The news first appeared on Shams Charania and comes mere days after Wagler led Illinois to an unprecedented Final Four run, leading to raising his draft stock as a first-class professional prospect. Wagler, a 6-foot-6 guard who also plays small forward, was the first player in Big Ten history who managed to win both the Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year titles in one season. Wagler, who is most thankful to head coach Brad Underwood and the Champaign community in a very warm social media post, also revealed that he intends to hire an agent, thereby giving up his university eligibility. Wagler, who is at the moment considered to be a top-five pick in the draft lottery, moves up to the pro level without a doubt as the best shooter of the class and a cornerstone player for any NBA team.
Shams Charania Confirms Keaton Wagler Decision To Enter NBA Draft
The news of Keaton Wagler’s jump to the professional level was confirmed early Sunday morning, sending shockwaves through the college basketball landscape. According to Shams Charania, Wagler has already begun interviewing major agencies as he prepares for the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. The report highlights that NBA scouts have been enamoured with Wagler’s “stoic assassin” demeanour and his elite efficiency from beyond the arc. During the 2025 26 season, Wagler averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting a remarkable 44% from three-point range. His ability to perform on the biggest stages, including a 32-point masterclass in the Elite Eight victory over UConn, made his decision to turn pro an inevitability. Underwood praised his star pupil, stating that Wagler is a “pro in every sense of the word” and possesses a basketball IQ rarely seen in 19-year-old prospects.
Shattering Records: A Look At Keaton Wagler Freshman Legacy At Illinois
Keaton Wagler leaves the University of Illinois having rewritten the record books in just one season of action. He broke the school record for most three pointers made by a freshman and surpassed the legendary Dee Brown for the most points scored by an Illini newcomer in a single NCAA Tournament run. Beyond the individual accolades, Wagler was the engine behind an Illinois squad that captured the Big Ten Tournament title and returned the program to the Final Four for the first time in over two decades.
