CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Keaton Wagler has added to an already historic freshman campaign, earning second-team All-America honors from both the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
With the latest recognitions, Wagler has now been named a second-team All-American by all four major organizations used to determine NCAA Consensus All-America status, including The Sporting News and The Associated Press. He is the first freshman in Illinois program history to earn All-America honors from both the USBWA and NABC.
Wagler’s standout season has placed him among the top players in the country. The Fighting Illini guard is averaging 17.9 points per game while also contributing more than four rebounds and four assists per contest. He shattered the program’s freshman scoring record, surpassing 570 points, and has scored in double figures in 29 games this season.
His list of accolades continues to grow. Wagler was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. He has also been recognized as a finalist for several national awards, including the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, while earning a spot on the Wooden Award national ballot and the Naismith Trophy late-season team.