Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler was named a second-team All-American by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) on Mar. 18, becoming the first freshman in University of Illinois history to receive USBWA All-America recognition.
This distinction places Wagler among the top college basketball players in the country and marks a significant achievement for both him and the Illinois program. The honor is one of several national accolades Wagler has received this season, highlighting his impact as a freshman.
Wagler has now earned second-team All-America honors from all four organizations that contribute to selection for the NCAA Consensus All-America Team: The Sporting News, Associated Press, National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), and USBWA. He was also recognized as a first-team All-American by Bleacher Report and was included on the Wooden Award National Ballot. Additional honors include being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-Big Ten, NABC All-Great Lakes District First Team, Lute Olson Award Finalist, Kyle Macy Award Finalist, and Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team member.
Among his statistical achievements this season are averaging at least 17 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game—one of only three NCAA freshmen to do so—and ranking second nationally in offensive rating among high-usage players at 131.3. Wagler broke the Illinois freshman season scoring record with 573 points so far and is on pace to set a new all-time freshman scoring average for the school with 17.9 points per game. He scored in double figures in each of his last 24 games and recorded nine games with at least 20 points.
The University of Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team competes in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the Big Ten Conference and plays its home games in Champaign, Illinois according to the official website. The team has reached the NCAA Final Four five times—in 1949, 1951, 1952, 1989, and 2005—and has won multiple Big Ten Conference titles dating back to its early years according to the official website. The program adopted “Fighting Illini” as its athletics nickname according to the official website.
Recognition as an NCAA Consensus All-American is also a criteria point for inclusion in Illinois Basketball’s Honored Jerseys program at State Farm Center.
