Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[IlliniHardwood]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2043111503159562746

Elation and gratitude for Keaton. Sadness for Illini Nation. Keaton Wagler is a generational diamond in the rough, which means a lot of us will not see another player like him in our lifetime...

But, I live in Oklahoma, so my experience is that lightning could still strike twice for us!

 

[ThePortalMadeMeDoIt]

Hell of a college player.....I just don't see it translating to the NBA level. High floor but a very low ceiling. His biggest assets are his smarts amongst a pool of dummies. Honestly Taking him in the lottery is a reach but someone will take him, I just hope it isn't my Bulls. Give me Acuff or Burries. I do wish him to do Illini nation proud though.

 

[Perry Range]

KW will have the best NBA career of any former Illini, ever.

Better than DWill, Harper, EJ, Nick, Red Kerr… I really believe this.

Maybe it’s not a particularly hot take…? I don’t know. But yeah.

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

 

[illiniswish09]

Love you kid, go be great

 

[Curbelo Fanboy]

He was here for a short time but oh what a great time it was.

 

[80'sIllini]

One of the greatest stories in Illini history… what a pleasure to watch him rock the orange and blue. Will forever root for him! Go be great 2-3!

Loved watching him play and how he carried himself on and off the court. Wishing him a long and productive career in the NBA!!

 

[AnnaMay]

Well that frees up about 6 to 8 million.

 

[joeybcrazy13]

 

[Tacomallini]

KW will have the best NBA career of any former Illini, ever.

Better than DWill, Harper, EJ, Nick, Red Kerr… I really believe this.

Maybe it’s not a particularly hot take…? I don’t know. But yeah.

Early jumpstart on NBA career for sure…correct me if I’m wrong but I believe he’s just the 3rd true one and done Illini after KJ and WR

 

[Illinifrank67]

Looks 5' 11"

Because everyone else was 6’10

 

[illini011]

View attachment 49581

Is it possible to get both Vaaks and Blackwell? Or is it one or the other?

 

[IllinitripleJ]

How many coaching staffs can claim they took a player outside of the top 100 incoming freshmen and in 8 months he became a top 7 pick in the NBA draft? I hope Brad and his staff brings this up for every player they recruit. Especially guards.

 

[Tommy Gun]

KW will have the best NBA career of any former Illini, ever.

Better than DWill, Harper, EJ, Nick, Red Kerr… I really believe this.

Maybe it’s not a particularly hot take…? I don’t know. But yeah.

I think so too. He is 100/100 on what you can't "teach"--Highest BB IQ ever, 7' wingspan, great shooter and instinctive finisher, perfect emotional wiring.

And so much body maturity and easy mass gains yet to come. And the trajectory...Where was he 365 days ago, where will he be 365 days from now?

 

[illinifiedler]

Vaaks......ILL

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

 

[illini0440]

 

[BrownTown]

 

[whatahack]

LAD ready for blast off...

 

[joeybcrazy13]

 

[Combo]

That roster would fall significantly short of our lofty 2026-27 expectations. Desperately needs some athleticism, as has been mentioned here previously. (Hopefully Blackwell is one of 2-3 we can pick up over the next month.)

It would certainly lack athleticism. But still about as athletic as our team that just made the FF.

 

[Thaillini22]

KW changed his mind!

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

 

[DrunkWastedHammeredIllini]

This portal cycle has EVERYTHING. Legacy recruits, Tar Heel failures, guys from Providence College with an AWESOME first name, Roman J.Israel Esquire.

 

[Stevegarbs]

This portal cycle has EVERYTHING. Legacy recruits, Tar Heel failures, guys from Providence College with an AWESOME first name, Roman J.Israel Esquire.

POTD.