NBA Draft

#76      
Fly Illini Fly!
Hessel Blvd said:
I think the 20lb difference should be mentioned too... certainly KJ had creativity, strength, and experience that Keaton doesn't...
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Strength could be added at the next level. What teams care about right now is the skill set. A bit unsure as to what you’re referring to as far as creativity, and for experience, KJ was a one and done as well.

My challenge for some of these opinions would be — when’s the last time we’ve seen a prospect with Wagler’s COMBINATION of size, shooting, and decision making?

Sounds easy, but, Wagler is:

Height: 6”6
Shooting: 42% from 3
Assist to turnover: 2.5

Looking at the college stats, the most recent one I personally can come up with is Tyrese Halliburton in 2020.

To run through some of the top picks since:

You bring up KJ — well, he shot 32% from 3 and had a 1.3 assist to turnover.

Cade Cunningham could be one that comes to mind… except he had a NEGATIVE assist to turnover at Oklahoma State (0.80).

Dylan Harper last season — phenomenal (albeit on a bad team), but shot 33% from 3. Also, his assist to turnover is no where close to Wagler’s (1.6).

Reed Sheppard was terrific for Kentucky, but is 6”2.

Jalen Suggs was terrific for Gonzaga, but again, no where near the assist to turnover (1.5) and shot 33% from deep.

Even some of the guys this year:

Acuff — my god he’s phenomenal, but he’s 6”2.

Mikal Brown — shooting 34% from 3, some really questionable shot selection too. And a 1.5 assist to turnover.

Kingston Flemings might be the most comparable one from THIS year’s class, as he’s listed at 6”4 (on TV looks much smaller) and is shooting 38% from 3.

I am NOT here to claim Wagler is a better prospect than every one of the guys named… just wanted to add some perspective to the conversation.
 
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#77      
NarrowJ
People act like Keaton won't gain 15 lbs and some explosiveness this offseason... 18-19 y/o testosterone at peak, structured nutrition and resistance training he'll get, and so on

Wemby gained 25-30lbs of muscle mass between his rookie and 2nd season... which is an extreme example but shows you what young players with a literal wealth of resources can accomplish in a single offseason

One of the things you see mentioned in just about every little mock draft snippet is his potential to fill out a 6-6 frame that also boasts a 6-11 wingspan

We also saw Will Riley grow 2-3 inches this year... could you imagine a 6-8 Keaton with a 7 foot wingspan and playing at 220? Not saying he will grow, but its a possibility yet. Even if he just puts on 15 lbs of muscle and gains a bit of explosiveness, sky is the limit here, imo
 
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#78      
RockfordIllini
NarrowJ said:
People act like Keaton won't gain 15 lbs and some explosiveness this offseason... 18-19 y/o testosterone at peak, structured nutrition and resistance training he'll get, and so on

Wemby gained 25-30lbs of muscle mass between his rookie and 2nd season... which is an extreme example but shows you what young players with a literal wealth of resources can accomplish in a single offseason

One of the things you see mentioned in just about every little mock draft snippet is his potential to fill out a 6-6 frame that also boasts a 6-11 wingspan

We also saw Will Riley grow 2-3 inches this year... could you imagine a 6-8 Keaton with a 7 foot wingspan and playing at 220? Not saying he will grow, but its a possibility yet. Even if he just puts on 15 lbs of muscle and gains a bit of explosiveness, sky is the limit here, imo
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Wemby is also 7’5 or whatever he is, so 25-30 lbs isn’t as extreme on his frame. Probably the equivalent of a 10-15 lbs on a 6’6 frame. But I digress.

Agree he seems to have the work ethic that his body should continue to develop. I do think he’s looked a little worn down the last few weeks which is completely understandable given the load he’s been asked to carry since Kylan went down. Physical development will help with that. And who knows on the growing, sounds like he was a bit of a late bloomer and was under 6’ going into HS, so sometimes those types of guys keep sprouting into their late teens/early 20s.
 
#79      
ChiefGritty
Illiniguy13 said:
Someday, Illinois will land the unanimous No. 1 NBA prospect, and there will still be fans insisting he should stay in Champaign another year to boost his draft stock.
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What's funny here is the interesting combination of arguing against any criticism of Wagler's game while ALSO saying he should stay.

WhereDoWeStandWithStorr? said:
Unless he flops in the tournament, there’s a 0% chance he falls anywhere near out of the lottery.
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So, as always, the NBA absolutely does not care one iota whether it's the national championship game, a Tuesday night against Rutgers, or a private workout in an empty gym in May, it is solely and exclusively about the traits and skills the player demonstrates and how those project going forward.

It's a strong and deep draft. Wagler's profile is not without questions (virtually no one's is). If those questions weigh on the minds of front office's through the draft process the bloom can come off the rose a bit.

I think Wagler's draft floor is pretty high, teams just love his kind of profile now, it's hard to find recent busts that have his shooting/decision making/space exploitation/craft package (Reed Sheppard is emerging as a high quality player, Tyler Kolek has stuck in the league, these guys have even lesser physical measurables than Wagler, you kinda can't go wrong with a slippery smart guard who can shoot). But his floor is not pick 6, not in this draft.
 
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#80      
logjam
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Strength could be added at the next level. What teams care about right now is the skill set. A bit unsure as to what you’re referring to as far as creativity, and for experience, KJ was a one and done as well.

My challenge for some of these opinions would be — when’s the last time we’ve seen a prospect with Wagler’s COMBINATION of size, shooting, and decision making?

Sounds easy, but, Wagler is:

Height: 6”6
Shooting: 42% from 3
Assist to turnover: 2.5

Looking at the college stats, the most recent one I personally can come up with is Tyrese Halliburton in 2020.

To run through some of the top picks since:

You bring up KJ — well, he shot 32% from 3 and had a 1.3 assist to turnover.

Cade Cunningham could be one that comes to mind… except he had a NEGATIVE assist to turnover at Oklahoma State (0.80).

Dylan Harper last season — phenomenal (albeit on a bad team), but shot 33% from 3. Also, his assist to turnover is no where close to Wagler’s (1.6).

Reed Sheppard was terrific for Kentucky, but is 6”2.

Jalen Suggs was terrific for Gonzaga, but again, no where near the assist to turnover (1.5) and shot 33% from deep.

Even some of the guys this year:

Acuff — my god he’s phenomenal, but he’s 6”2.

Mikal Brown — shooting 34% from 3, some really questionable shot selection too. And a 1.5 assist to turnover.

Kingston Flemings might be the most comparable one from THIS year’s class, as he’s listed at 6”4 (on TV looks much smaller) and is shooting 38% from 3.

I am NOT here to claim Wagler is a better prospect than every one of the guys named… just wanted to add some perspective to the conversation.
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Will Riley...
 
#81      
BalloonsTheElephant
ChiefGritty said:
What's funny here is the interesting combination of arguing against any criticism of Wagler's game while ALSO saying he should stay.


So, as always, the NBA absolutely does not care one iota whether it's the national championship game, a Tuesday night against Rutgers, or a private workout in an empty gym in May, it is solely and exclusively about the traits and skills the player demonstrates and how those project going forward.

It's a strong and deep draft. Wagler's profile is not without questions (virtually no one's is). If those questions weigh on the minds of front office's through the draft process the bloom can come off the rose a bit.

I think Wagler's draft floor is pretty high, teams just love his kind of profile now, it's hard to find recent busts that have his shooting/decision making/space exploitation/craft package (Reed Sheppard is emerging as a high quality player, Tyler Kolek has stuck in the league, these guys have even lesser physical measurables than Wagler, you kinda can't go wrong with a slippery smart guard who can shoot). But his floor is not pick 6, not in this draft.
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You should know by now that any level of dissension towards the program, players, or coaching staff means that by extension you hate them and think they are the worst.
 
#82      
Hessel Blvd
ChiefGritty said:
What's funny here is the interesting combination of arguing against any criticism of Wagler's game while ALSO saying he should stay.


So, as always, the NBA absolutely does not care one iota whether it's the national championship game, a Tuesday night against Rutgers, or a private workout in an empty gym in May, it is solely and exclusively about the traits and skills the player demonstrates and how those project going forward.

It's a strong and deep draft. Wagler's profile is not without questions (virtually no one's is). If those questions weigh on the minds of front office's through the draft process the bloom can come off the rose a bit.

I think Wagler's draft floor is pretty high, teams just love his kind of profile now, it's hard to find recent busts that have his shooting/decision making/space exploitation/craft package (Reed Sheppard is emerging as a high quality player, Tyler Kolek has stuck in the league, these guys have even lesser physical measurables than Wagler, you kinda can't go wrong with a slippery smart guard who can shoot). But his floor is not pick 6, not in this draft.
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I think that's' at the crux of the way i feel about it (i know, who cares what i feel): he has a solid draft floor (doubt he will slip to the high teens), but i think his draft ceiling is not as solid, and i wouldn't be surprise if he is low in the top ten, or even outside of that.
 
#84      
Calvin
Hessel Blvd said:
I think his draft ceiling is not as solid, and i wouldn't be surprise if he is low in the top ten, or even outside of that.
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He has some great things working in his favor, mainly his versatility. He's a plus shooter and solid with FTs, great decision-making and feel for the game, impeccable A:T with the bonus of half as many steals to turnovers. The great thing about all those skills is that he'll fit anywhere, so the first team that believes in his potential will take him.
 
#85      
IllinitripleJ
Oracle21 said:
Wilson is shooting 26% from 3 and 71% from the line. Theres no way I’m taking a 4 man that can’t shoot high in the draft. He’s not a Giannis level athlete where you can ignore that and look beyond what he could end up being
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Maybe not top 3 but he did outplay Boozer when NC beat Duke on February 7. Boozer went 10 for 21 while Caleb went 8 for 12. I would take him over Wagler.
 
#86      
Fly Illini Fly!
B/R mock draft update, Wagler No. 5


Insightful description:

“Keaton Wagler has firmly inserted himself into the lottery discussion with deep shotmaking, footwork for creating space, clever finishes and mature decision-making.

Whether a team takes him closer to No. 5 or No. 10 will come down to the fears around how Wagler's lack of explosion and strength will restrict him. He does find ways to get to the rim with change of speed and fakes. But he's only converting 39.4 percent of his drives, sometimes struggling to full separate on blow-bys or finishes.

However, his production has remained consistent, and his shooting, craftiness and IQ may be strong enough for Wagler to compensate for athletic limitations and problem-solve quicker defenders.”
 
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#87      
bavanga3
logjam said:
Will Riley...
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I hope you're kidding. Will Riley was nowhere close to the prospect Wagler is at this stage in his career. Wagler is stronger, more polished, and much much better at decision making than Riley was. And im one who wished Riley had more playing time, but he was INCREDIBLY raw last year and purely a shot taker.
 
#88      
logjam
bavanga3 said:
I hope you're kidding. Will Riley was nowhere close to the prospect Wagler is at this stage in his career. Wagler is stronger, more polished, and much much better at decision making than Riley was. And im one who wished Riley had more playing time, but he was INCREDIBLY raw last year and purely a shot taker.
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No I wasn't kidding...thx for your opinion...
 
#89      
Fly Illini Fly!
Brand new ESPN mock, Wagler No. 6

www.espn.com

2026 NBA mock draft: Who's rising and falling ahead of March Madness?

Who's rising and falling in Jeremy Woo's updated 2026 NBA mock draft ahead of March Madness?
www.espn.com www.espn.com

“Wagler's unexpected rise from off-the-radar recruit to Big Ten Freshman of the Year has given him a chance to be the second guard off the board. His positional size -- 6-foot-6 -- 3-point shooting (41%) and impeccable playmaking give him developmental upside.

Continuing to gain strength to better navigate in the paint and becoming a better defender are long-term keys as well. He is the least dynamic athlete of the guards in this group, but the blueprint is there for him to become an NBA backcourt fixture.

Atlanta will be in search of a long-term point guard after moving on from Trae Young, and can address that in this draft, even if its pick doesn't land in the top four.”
 
#90      
Calvin
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Brand new ESPN mock, Wagler No. 6

www.espn.com

2026 NBA mock draft: Who's rising and falling ahead of March Madness?

Who's rising and falling in Jeremy Woo's updated 2026 NBA mock draft ahead of March Madness?
www.espn.com www.espn.com

“Wagler's unexpected rise from off-the-radar recruit to Big Ten Freshman of the Year has given him a chance to be the second guard off the board. His positional size -- 6-foot-6 -- 3-point shooting (41%) and impeccable playmaking give him developmental upside.

Continuing to gain strength to better navigate in the paint and becoming a better defender are long-term keys as well. He is the least dynamic athlete of the guards in this group, but the blueprint is there for him to become an NBA backcourt fixture.

Atlanta will be in search of a long-term point guard after moving on from Trae Young, and can address that in this draft, even if its pick doesn't land in the top four.”
Click to expand...

ESPN having him at #6 seems promising since they are likely much more plugged in with GMs than some of the mocks out there. In the interview of him getting freshman of the year with the Big Ten network, he mentioned the season being a grind, which made me a little worried for his NBA adjustment. Way more of a grind than college --more travel, more physicality and way more games. Must be crazy for him how quickly he's gone from under-recruited high schooler to high on the NBA lottery radar.
 
#91      
IlliniwekKDR
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Brand new ESPN mock, Wagler No. 6

www.espn.com

2026 NBA mock draft: Who's rising and falling ahead of March Madness?

Who's rising and falling in Jeremy Woo's updated 2026 NBA mock draft ahead of March Madness?
www.espn.com www.espn.com

“Wagler's unexpected rise from off-the-radar recruit to Big Ten Freshman of the Year has given him a chance to be the second guard off the board. His positional size -- 6-foot-6 -- 3-point shooting (41%) and impeccable playmaking give him developmental upside.

Continuing to gain strength to better navigate in the paint and becoming a better defender are long-term keys as well. He is the least dynamic athlete of the guards in this group, but the blueprint is there for him to become an NBA backcourt fixture.

Atlanta will be in search of a long-term point guard after moving on from Trae Young, and can address that in this draft, even if its pick doesn't land in the top four.”
Click to expand...
Hey, and Boswell making an appearance at 54.
 
#92      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
Calvin said:
ESPN having him at #6 seems promising since they are likely much more plugged in with GMs than some of the mocks out there. In the interview of him getting freshman of the year with the Big Ten network, he mentioned the season being a grind, which made me a little worried for his NBA adjustment. Way more of a grind than college --more travel, more physicality and way more games. Must be crazy for him how quickly he's gone from under-recruited high schooler to high on the NBA lottery radar.
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My god. People won’t let go the most minute of opportunity to try and stain his draft talk.

The question being asked was what is the biggest adjustment over the past year going from HS to a college freshman. Literally what about his answer is not 100% the truth? High School to high major college basketball is an uptick in “grind” for absolutely everybody. I don’t care if you’re Keaton, Cooper Flagg, Boozer, Dybantsa, etc… there’s just no way an entire college basketball season is the same as high school. For anybody. Anytime. Anywhere.

It’s a blatant lie if anybody were to claim otherwise.
 
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#93      
Fly Illini Fly!
CBS mock, Wagler No. 5

www.cbssports.com

2026 NBA Mock Draft: BYU's AJ Dybantsa jumps over Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, goes No. 1 to Kings

The Cougars star will be one to watch during March Madness
www.cbssports.com www.cbssports.com

“This begins the quartet of freshmen guards expected to go in the mid-lottery. What distinguishes Wagler is his size, shooting, feel for the game, and on-off ball versatility. On the heels of a breakout year from Keyonte George, it's that ability to still impact the game off the ball that would make him potentially the best fit in Utah.”
 
#95      
WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?
From what I’ve seen from people in the know:

AS OF TODAY, the top 4 and top 7 are pretty locked in.

Top 4: Wilson, Dybantsa, Boozer, Peterson.

The 7: Wagler, Acuff, Fleming, Wilson, Boozer, Peterson, Dybantsa.

It sounds like Dybantsa’s the current favorite for #1.
 
#98      
dwpittman
Not sure where to post this. Looking at a CBS link for the NBA draft next year. The top 12 picks are all college freshmen. That's pretty wild considering how many of the best and top picked players have been Europeans lately. Any thoughts on this? Is CBS out of touch, or is this actually going to happen?

CBS draft
 
#99      
Emerson Bigguns
dwpittman said:
Not sure where to post this. Looking at a CBS link for the NBA draft next year. The top 12 picks are all college freshmen. That's pretty wild considering how many of the best and top picked players have been Europeans lately. Any thoughts on this? Is CBS out of touch, or is this actually going to happen?

CBS draft
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The top 10 being all college freshmen would be a pretty safe bet.
 
#100      
Oracle21
After watching Acuff more this weekend, I’d probably take him over everyone except Boozer. He really does play like a Derrick Rose but with a better 3pt shot.

My top 4:
#1. Boozer (NBA comp: Tatum)
#2. Acuff (Rose)
#3. Wagler (Curry)
#4. Dybantsa (Jaylen Brown)

I could see taking Dybantsa over Wagler due to the defensive value Dybantsa likely brings.
 
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