Keaton Wagler, a standout freshman guard for the University of Illinois, has announced his decision to enter the 2026 NBA draft. He played a pivotal role in leading the Fighting Illini to their first Final Four appearance since 2005. Over the course of 37 games, Wagler averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, while shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc. His impressive performance earned him consensus second-team All-American honors, making him the first Illini freshman to achieve this distinction. Wagler set several freshman records, including 663 points, 202 field goals, and 87 three-pointers. Notably, he registered a record 11 games scoring 20 or more points, with a season-high of 46 points against Purdue. As the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, he is now projected to be a top-10 pick in what is considered one of the most talented draft classes in recent years.