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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Keaton Wagler, a standout guard for the University of Illinois, has etched his name into the history books of Illini basketball.
Wagler has made history by becoming the first freshman in the program’s history to be recognized as a Consensus All-American. He achieved this remarkable feat by being named a second-team All-American by all four major national publications that announce postseason awards.
This significant accomplishment has set the stage for the Shawnee, Kansas native to achieve the honor of having his jersey commemorated at the State Farm Center.
On Thursday, Illinois Athletics confirmed that Wagler will be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Honored Jerseys program at the State Farm Center, solidifying his place among the program’s elite.
Wagler will join the ranks of other notable players from the Brad Underwood era, including Kofi Cockburn, Ayo Dosunmu, and Terrence Shannon Jr., who have also had their jerseys raised to the rafters at the State Farm Center.
Wagler averaged 17.9 points per game in his first year of college hoops, a monumental rise after not being ranked in the top 100 in his class by major recruiting sites out of high school. He is the first Consensus All-American at Illinois since Kofi Cockburn in 2022.
Wagler, a projected NBA lottery pick by several national outlets, has not yet announced his future plans.