The rise of Keaton Wagler

149.

That’s how many players in Keaton Wagler’s high school class were ranked as better basketball players than the Illinois star when he committed to the Illini.

As a senior playing at Mission Northwest in Shawnee, Kansas, Wagler averaged 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, leading his team to a 22-3 record and second straight Class 6A state championship.

Along with these accolades, Wagler was awarded the Gatorade Player of the Year for Kansas high school basketball.

These honors should have certainly drawn interest from major college basketball teams, right?

Wrong. Wagler received two Power Four offers from Minnesota and Illinois. That’s it. Mid-majors such as Colorado State, Southern Illinois and Murray State were interested, but weren’t nearly the caliber of team Wagler was after.

So, what gives? How does a player like Wagler barely receive Big 10 offers?

When Wagler arrived on campus in Champaign, he was listed at 6-foot-6, 180 pounds. This raised questions about how his physicality could be tested against other Big 10 guards and forwards.

There were even rumblings that coach Brad Underwood might consider redshirting Wagler for his freshman season, giving him time to work out over the course of a season before his eligibility began.

While there wasn’t much substance to these rumors, it goes to show how Wagler had always been viewed: He’s good, but is he truly ready?

Then the preseason began. I’ll let Illinois senior guard Kylan Boswell tell you about the impression Wagler made.

"He's gonna be one of our best players on this team, not even a doubt in my mind. He's cold."

Cold. What a fitting word.

Wagler opened the season as a starter, scoring 18 points against Jackson State in his first collegiate game.

The first true test for Illinois came in game three, when they hosted #11-ranked Texas Tech. Wagler scored 11 on 3-9 shooting in an Illini victory.

Then came the struggles. Eight points on 2-9 shooting in a loss to Alabama. Three points on just three shots against UConn, a game where Illinois mustered just 64 points.

He scored 16 against Tennessee, but on poor efficiency, going 5-13 from the floor. How cut out was Wagner truly?

Let’s cut back to a scouting report from Illinois on SI writer Jason Langendorf, written right after Wagler’s commitment to Illinois.

The heading reads: “Wagler needs to bulk up and take his Big Ten lumps, but he may be ready to blow up sooner rather than later.”

The first part of this statement has hit. It may not have been against conference opponents, but it’s safe to say that lumps have been taken.

As for the rest of the statement? Well, you’ll see.

Over his next 10 games, Wagler averaged 17.9 points per game, a stretch of play where Illinois went 9-1. The Fighting Illini climbed to #11 ranked in the nation, and now faced off against conference rival Purdue.

Travelling to Mackey Arena, this would be, far and away, the toughest test of the season for Wagler and Illinois. This was the chance for Wagler to answer the bell.

Boy, did he ever.

Wagler exploded for 46 points on 84% shooting. He nailed nine three-pointers, the most in a single game in program history, leading Illinois to an 88-82 upset road win.

46 points is the most ever scored by a freshman at the famed Mackey Arena, both by a visitor or a Boilermaker. Wagler shot 13-17 this game, displaying absolute domination on the offensive side of the ball.

Just eight days later, Illinois travelled to play #5-ranked Nebraska on the road. Wagler 28-5-5 on 7-15 shooting in another Illini victory.

Wagler has suddenly turned into the leading scorer for one of the best teams in the country. Talks have turned from questioning his impact to determining which NBA lottery team will select him in June.

Bleacher Report has Wagler projected to be picked number six overall in the upcoming NBA draft. With the college season not close to over for Illinois, the sky is the limit for Wagler to continue and improve his stock.

Not bad for a kid ranked #150 in his own high school class.

Brendan Kern is a second-year student majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email bwk5372@psu.edu