We are now three games into the NBA Summer League, and Keaton Wagler continues to navigate his way through the new terrain.
Game one was a shock to the system for Wagler, as he laid an egg. Game two was a coming-out party for the former Illini guard. He put up big scoring numbers and was key to the victory.
On Tuesday night, we got to experience game three of the NBA Summer League for Wagler. He went up against the other team from Los Angeles, the Lakers.
The Clippers were down big at halftime, but they made it respectable by game’s end, losing 99-85. While this was a loss, bringing the Clippers’ record to 1-2, Wagler displayed a trait that he hadn’t yet shown the NBA world.
Efficiency.
This doesn’t necessarily mean shooting, as Wagler wasn’t super efficient on Tuesday, hitting 40% from the field and 20% from three-point range. When I talk about efficiency, I aim at the other numbers.
Wagler played the most minutes out of any Los Angeles player, logging just under 30 minutes in the game. Despite so many minutes, he still only had one turnover the entire night.
While Wagler is only turning the ball over one time, he is also dishing out four assists in the game. For those keeping track at home, that is a 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. That would rank him top 20 in the NBA for the 2025-26 regular season.
Illinois fans loved him for his all-around efficient play. A great assist-to-turnover ratio is coupled with the fact that he had six rebounds, which was second for the entire time. He is a guard who pulls down rebounds.
Los Angeles Clippers fans are going to realize that Keaton Wagler isn’t about he, he is about we
Brad Underwood is a great coach who I believe could be an NBA coach. His style on the floor is very similar to that of the NBA, and this is great for his players’ future.
What Illinois also instills in players is a team mentality. They aren’t out there to get their own and put up a massive scoring number. They do whatever the team needs them to do.
One night, you are going to get 28 points from Wagler, and he is going to lead the team to a win. On another night, Wagler might only have 12 points, but he is going to dish out 10 assists and pull down eight rebounds, as the team has someone else going off.
Wagler is a team guy through and through. The Clippers got a great one, and he is going to be the centerpiece of this franchise for years to come.
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