5 fun facts: Get to know Clippers’ Keaton Wagler before 2026-27 season

As the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, guard Keaton Wagler joins the LA Clippers after a historic freshman campaign at the University of Illinois.

Wagler was a consensus second-team All-American, averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range. He set numerous freshman program records, including points (663), scoring average, field goals (202) and 3s (87).

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The 19-year-old became the first Illini freshman to earn a consensus All-American selection after ranking third in the country in win shares (5.5) and 11th in total minutes (1,255). He was also the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-conference pick.

Wagler is the first player in franchise history to be taken with the fifth pick and the highest drafted since Blake Griffin (2009, No. 1). He is Illinois’ third top-10 pick in the draft era (1966), joining Kendall Gill (1990, No. 5) and Deron Williams (2005, No. 3).

The Kansas native debuted with the Clippers in the NBA Summer League, averaging 18 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 33.3% from 3-point range in four games. He scored 20 or more points twice, including a 26-point effort on July 17.

Wagler enters the season with the eighth-highest odds for Rookie of the Year. He will have high expectations as a top-five pick and should be in store for a productive year.

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Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season

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Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) speaks in a press conference after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Wagler continued a longstanding family…

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Publish date : 2026-09-05 15:12:00

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