News

Illinois freshman Wagler earns AP All-American honors

Photo: Contributed/illinois.edu


CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Keaton Wagler continues to add to a historic freshman season, earning second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press.

Wagler is the first freshman in program history to be named an AP All-American and becomes the 22nd player overall from the Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball to receive the recognition. He is also the fifth AP All-American in the last six seasons under head coach Brad Underwood.

The standout guard has averaged 17.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, placing him among the top freshmen in the nation. He is one of only three freshmen nationally averaging at least 17 points, 4.5 rebounds, and four assists.

Wagler has also broken Illinois’ freshman scoring record with 573 points and has scored in double figures in 29 games this season, including nine 20-point performances. His season was highlighted by a 46-point outing against Purdue, earning him National Player of the Week honors.

In addition to his AP recognition, Wagler has earned multiple national honors, including second-team All-American selections from The Sporting News and Field of 68, and first-team recognition from Bleacher Report. He was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-Big Ten selection.

Recent Headlines

13 hours ago in Trending, World

Artemis II kicks off trip around the moon after surpassing Apollo 13’s distance record

With the moon now filling their windows, the Artemis II astronauts kicked off their lunar flyby Monday, taking in magnificent views of the far side never before witnessed while setting a new distance record for humanity.

13 hours ago in Entertainment

Man cleared in the killing of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay could soon be freed

A man who was convicted and then cleared of killing rap star Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC could be freed within days after a judge granted him $ 1 million bond on Monday.

20 hours ago in Entertainment

It’s-a-hit: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ box office blasts off with $372.5 million globally

Mixed reviews didn't dissuade mass audiences from buying tickets to the "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," which scored the biggest opening of the year for a Hollywood movie.

20 hours ago in Trending, World

Artemis II astronauts race to set a new distance record from Earth and behold the moon’s far side

With the moon looming ever larger, the Artemis II astronauts raced to set a new distance record Monday from Earth on a lunar fly-around promising magnificent views of the far side never seen before by eye.

20 hours ago in Sports, Trending

UCLA storms past South Carolina to claim its 1st NCAA women’s basketball title

It's mission accomplished for UCLA. Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts and the rest of the UCLA seniors secured the first NCAA women's basketball national championship in school history — a goal that was set after losing in the first Final Four last season.