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Illinois’ Keaton Wagler was an All-American for a reason: He was the go-to creator on one of the best teams in the country – a squad that wound up earning a Final Four berth. And he did that as a freshman – which, in turn, has him projected as a top-10 pick.
But there is one key question mark following Wagler as he enters his pro career: his athleticism. Fortunately for him, front offices don’t seem all that concerned. Wagler’s game is predicated on change of pace, basketball intelligence and shooting – none of which will be hampered by his lack of explosiveness. And, not for nothing, his performance in the athletic-testing portion ofthe NBA Draft Combine wasn’t half bad.
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There is another question, though – and it’s one that his NBA success may hinge on: Is Wagler strictly an on-ball option?
Can Keaton Wagler play off the ball in the NBA?
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) dribbles the ball against UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
In three games against high-major foes before Wagler was moved to lead guard, he scored 22 points … total. Over that stretch, he shot 6-for-21 from the field. For some perspective, after getting moved on to the ball, Wagler scored 20.0 points per game over his next four outings.
Now, how much of that was early-season lumps taken by a freshman, and how much of it was a direct result of his struggles to make an impact in a non ball-dominant role? In all likelihood, it was a combination of both.
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But the fact remains: Wagler projects as an off-ball player early in his NBA career but has yet to prove himself in that capacity. For now, many scouts expect Wagler to come off the board at No. 5 in June’s NBA Draft, meaning he would team up with lead guard Darius Garland on the Los Angeles Clippers,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/one-may-determine-keaton-waglers-182511528.html
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Publish date : 2026-05-22 18:25:00
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