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Illinois' Keaton Wagler Among Wooden Award Top 15 Finalists

Wagler, the breakout Illini freshman, takes his place among college basketball's best on the player of the year award watch list
Jason Langendorf|
Mar 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives past Oregon Ducks forward Dezdrick Lindsay (4) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Mar 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives past Oregon Ducks forward Dezdrick Lindsay (4) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Keaton Wagler has already delivered the finest season by a freshman in the history of the Illinois men's basketball program – but he may not be done just yet.

On Saturday, Illinois announced that Wagler was one of 15 players included on the latest list of finalists for the Wooden Award, which is annually handed out to "the most outstanding college basketball players in the United States," according to its website, and "awarded based on votes considering a player’s performance on and off the court, academic prowess, and character."

Duke's Cooper Flagg won the men's award in 2025, while USC's JuJu Watkins was awarded the women's trophy.

Wagler's statistical averages –18.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists – aren't as gaudy as some of the other names on this year's top-15 ballot, but his all-around production, shooting (73-for-174 on threes – 42.0 percent) and value to the Illini have thrust him firmly into the conversation for Wooden Award consideration.

His 46-point outburst – which included nine three-pointers – in a key Illinois win at Purdue is Wagler's signature performance, but his season has been better characterized by steady, savvy, below-the-rim production that has kept the Illini in the running for a top NCAA Tournament seed and convinced many experts that they are a contender for a national championship.

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Jason Langendorf
JASON LANGENDORF

Jason Langendorf has covered Illinois basketball, football and more for Illinois on SI since October 2024, and has covered Illini sports – among other subjects – for 30 years. A veteran of ESPN and Sporting News, he has published work in The Guardian, Vice, Chicago Sun-Times and many other outlets. He is currently also the U.S. editor at BoxingScene and a judge for the annual BWAA writing awards. He can be followed and reached on X and Bluesky @JasonLangendorf.

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