Illini in the Pros (Basketball)
Might be a bit ugly in beginning of the season but if they really stick with this it's the best possible scenario for our guy.
I don't think it will be.
He'll be playing alongside Darius Garland, Brandon Ingram, and other great players who will create quality shots for him.
It'll make life a lot easier than summer league, as the lone ball handler playing alongside a bunch of Exhibit 10 / camp invite guys (and still he was great, minus one bad game).
X will be filled with hot takes nightly.
Might be a bit ugly in beginning of the season but if they really stick with this it's the best possible scenario for our guy.
I mean all that's true but he's going to be a 19 year old rookie being guarded by and defending against, at times, guys who have 5, 10 years NBA experience under their belts. He's going to make mistakes, he's going to look foolish, at times he's going to look bad. And that's all OK! Thats part of learning at that level. For a rookie being able to make mistakes without having to worry that you're going to ride the pine or get sent down to the G-League is the best case scenario.
We're using "great" very liberally here.
As far as being a team's best two players, for NBA teams, Garland and Ingram is about as bad as you'll find.
I do agree that Summer League team was just awful though. Even for summer league standards that was rough
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By "great" meaning he was just as good as the other guards selected in his range. Not noticeably better, not noticeably worse.
No? Garland is a two time All Star. And Ingram was an All Star this past year.
FWIW, I don't think Wagler starts over Mathurin. But in his role, over the entire course of the year, it’s unlikely he's going to be a liability to their team. (yes there’s going to be growing pains, as there is with all rookies)
I think his shooting will be a valuable asset, especially if he starts out in more of an off-ball role.