From Obscure Recruit to Illini Star: Wagler's Unlikely Rise

Keaton Wagler, once overlooked by high-major programs, defied the odds as a lightly recruited 6'6 guard who blossomed after Illinois offered him late in the process, embracing a development plan and proving himself on the court with breakout scoring and playmaking—highlighted by a 46-point game against Purdue and a key role in Illinois' efficient offense—making him a potential NBA prospect and a symbol of how modern recruiting can miss a future star.