Illini in the Pros (Basketball)

[Oracle21]

Wagler played the 3rd most minutes on the Clippers even though he came off the bench. This guy really is the epitome of a winning player. He doesn’t make mistakes. For his turnover rate to be as low as it is at his size is a special skill.

I wonder if he ever thinks about how far he’s come in two years? Or if he thinks “I was always good it’s just nobody noticed me for a long time”. He has to pinch himself when he plays in an NBA game thinking back just 2-3 years earlier where he was

 

[nmillini]

It’s great to see the former Illini prospering, but what about some guy that transferred a few years ago? I think his name was Podz something. That keeps me up at night.

On the contrary, I've never slept so well, enjoying so much Illinois success.

 

[aveseaboy]

Will is a big trade candidate. Might be why he didn’t play

 

[ChiTown]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2113133540774703499

 

[ChiefGritty]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2113135322188132784

Maaaaan Keaton looks like a different player already. He’s 19. Just put up 15/5/5 in his NBA debut on 50% FG scoring from 3, at the rim, and the charity strip.

He's going to feast like a medieval warlord on the additional space in NBA half court offense.

 

[ChiIllini75]

Will is a big trade candidate. Might be why he didn’t play

Seems odd to not give him tick to show he's healthy/improved. Also seems odd to hold a guy out unless the trade is impending and I can't recall trades of non-holdout guys on the first week of a season.

With Dybantsa not playing either, I thought for sure Will had a path to minutes early.

 

[mysterio2525]

winning bets on over in points - good

getting plus money to bet the over on points for Ayo and Keaton and hitting both - magnificent!

 

[Calvin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2113135322188132784

Maaaaan Keaton looks like a different player already. He’s 19. Just put up 15/5/5 in his NBA debut on 50% FG scoring from 3, at the rim, and the charity strip.

100% - Just seems to play bigger.
You can tell he's working in the weight room, and at his age, probably has a lot of room to get stronger.

 

[March2TheArch]

100% - Just seems to play bigger.
You can tell he's working in the weight room, and at his age, probably has a lot of room to get stronger.

I mean he was getting checked by a near 24yo in Yaxel who just did a great job on Luka. He still found ways to score 20pts against Michigan and UConn. Can only imagine what a 24yo Keaton looks like in the NBA. His post-rookie contract extension is gonna be PHAAAAAT.

 

[CoalCity]

saw this stat on reddit about Keaton's performance tonight:

Keaton Wagler becomes the youngest player since LeBron James to have an NBA debut with:

15+ PTS
5+ REB
5+ AST
50%+ FG

That is a crazy stat. Wow

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

The Deron versus Chris Paul debate was something of a national thing because there were people who questioned Jerry Sloan picking Deron.

Other than a few fans of their respective teams, does anyone really care about Acuff and Wagler? It seems like we have people on this board debating something that really isn't a debate.

 

[HensonHall71]

The Deron versus Chris Paul debate was something of a national thing because there were people who questioned Jerry Sloan picking Deron.

Other than a few fans of their respective teams, does anyone really care about Acuff and Wagler? It seems like we have people on this board debating something that really isn't a debate.

I think the fact that picks 5-8 were all freshman PGs I’m sure there will always be some comparisons between them (Burries at 10 I don’t include given he’s the same age as Kylan)

 

[jimbo72]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2113106114598650349

not bad for a guy who can't create space

I said this March, Keaton is a taller Seth Curry. Our fighting Illini will have a awesome Pro career. What a great kid and representative of our Illini!

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

	Player	Team	Age	GP	W	L	Min	PTS	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	TOV	STL	BLK	PF	TFP	HSFP	DD2	TD3	+/-
1	Keaton Wagler	LAC	19	1	1	0	28.9	15.0	4.0	8.0	50.0	3.0	6.0	50.0	4.0	4.0	100	1.0	4.0	5.0	5.0	1.0	2.0	0.0	3.0	33.5	36.0	0.0	0.0	14.0
2	Caleb Wilson	CHI	20	1	0	1	28.8	14.0	6.0	18.0	33.3	1.0	6.0	16.7	1.0	2.0	50.0	3.0	0.0	3.0	0.0	8.0	3.0	1.0	4.0	21.6	29.0	0.0	0.0	-47.0
3	Brayden Burries	MIL	21	1	0	1	15.5	12.0	3.0	6.0	50.0	2.0	2.0	100	4.0	5.0	80.0	1.0	4.0	5.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	3.0	17.0	17.0	0.0	0.0	-12.0
3	Darius Acuff Jr.	SAC	19	1	0	1	34.9	12.0	5.0	24.0	20.8	0.0	7.0	0.0	2.0	5.0	40.0	1.0	2.0	3.0	3.0	4.0	3.0	0.0	2.0	25.1	30.0	0.0	0.0	-23.0
3	Yaxel Lendeborg	GSW	24	1	0	1	28.7	12.0	5.0	11.0	45.5	1.0	4.0	25.0	1.0	3.0	33.3	2.0	1.0	3.0	2.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	4.0	21.6	22.0	0.0	0.0	-21.0

NBA stats has a rookie filter.

NBA Rookie leaders

 

[NarrowJ]

	Player	Team	Age	GP	W	L	Min	PTS	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	TOV	STL	BLK	PF	TFP	HSFP	DD2	TD3	+/-
1	Keaton Wagler	LAC	19	1	1	0	28.9	15.0	4.0	8.0	50.0	3.0	6.0	50.0	4.0	4.0	100	1.0	4.0	5.0	5.0	1.0	2.0	0.0	3.0	33.5	36.0	0.0	0.0	14.0
2	Caleb Wilson	CHI	20	1	0	1	28.8	14.0	6.0	18.0	33.3	1.0	6.0	16.7	1.0	2.0	50.0	3.0	0.0	3.0	0.0	8.0	3.0	1.0	4.0	21.6	29.0	0.0	0.0	-47.0
3	Brayden Burries	MIL	21	1	0	1	15.5	12.0	3.0	6.0	50.0	2.0	2.0	100	4.0	5.0	80.0	1.0	4.0	5.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	3.0	17.0	17.0	0.0	0.0	-12.0
3	Darius Acuff Jr.	SAC	19	1	0	1	34.9	12.0	5.0	24.0	20.8	0.0	7.0	0.0	2.0	5.0	40.0	1.0	2.0	3.0	3.0	4.0	3.0	0.0	2.0	25.1	30.0	0.0	0.0	-23.0
3	Yaxel Lendeborg	GSW	24	1	0	1	28.7	12.0	5.0	11.0	45.5	1.0	4.0	25.0	1.0	3.0	33.3	2.0	1.0	3.0	2.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	4.0	21.6	22.0	0.0	0.0	-21.0

NBA stats has a rookie filter.

NBA Rookie leaders

#1 in points

#5 in FG attempts (Acuff 24, Wilson 18, Boozer 15, Lendeborg 11, Wagler 8)

That's an efficient night at the office.

 

[lstewart53x3]

#1 in points

#5 in FG attempts (Acuff 24, Wilson 18, Boozer 15, Lendeborg 11, Wagler 8)

That's an efficient night at the office.

Imagine how good he’ll be when he’s 24 (Yaxel’s age).

 

[JSpence]

29 MINS
15 PTS
5 AST
5 REB
2 STL
4-8 FG
3-6 3PT
+14

It bugs me that they didn't list his turnovers. Pardon me. Turnover. This stat line would be much less impressive with 4 fouls and 5 TO. Five players on his team had multiple turnovers. Dude held it down.