Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler has officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, according to Shams Charania and Jeremy Woo. The decision was confirmed by his agency, ProMondo Sports, following a stellar debut season in collegiate basketball.
Wagler enters the draft process as one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the nation. He is currently ranked No. 5 in ESPN's Top 100 rankings. His announcement comes after a historic run with the Fighting Illini, where he served as a primary catalyst for the team's success on the national stage.
During the 2025-26 season, Wagler led Illinois to a 28-9 record and a berth in the Final Four. This achievement marked the first time the program reached the national semifinals since 2005. His playmaking and scoring ability throughout the tournament solidified his standing as a projected top-tier lottery pick for the upcoming NBA draft class.
Standing as one of the premier guards in the country, Wagler is expected to be a focal point of NBA scouting departments as the draft cycle begins. The Fighting Illini will now look to fill the void left by their star freshman as they prepare for the next season.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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