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The Los Angeles Clippers took Illinois guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth pick in Tuesday's NBA draft.
Wagler burst onto the scene with a historic 46-point display against Purdue that catapulted the former four-star recruit up draft boards amid a stellar freshman season in Champaign.
His rapid development at the collegiate level is a huge green flag for the Clippers. Wagler went from being ranked 150th in his high school recruiting class to becoming a consensus second-team All-American and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Bio
Position: PG/SG
School: Illinois
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 190 lbs
Year: Freshman
Wingspan: 6-foot6
Max vertical: 36 inches
2025-26 stats at Illinois:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 17.9 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 44.5 | 39.7 | 79.6 |
Wagler boasts great size at his position and can operate as a combo guard thanks to his elite shotmaking, range, and playmaking, especially in the pick-and-roll.
His crafty footwork, pace, processing speed, and court vision make up for concerns about how his wiry frame and limited explosiveness will translate to the NBA. Wagler is also reliable off the ball and can thrive as a secondary scorer.
