Illinois basketball has had quite the run to start the 2025-26 season.
The Illini currently sit at 9-3 overall, with the only three losses coming to teams that are ranked inside the top 15 in the current AP Top 25.
Illinois’ solid start isn’t what is making news headlines, though. While we have a veteran-laced team with experience up and down the roster, the one player who is standing out the most is true freshman Keaton Wagler.
Just seven months removed from being in high school and nine months from playing high school basketball, Wagler has taken over Champaign with his versatility, ability, and calm demeanor.
Wagler began the season in the starting rotation due to injury, but quickly cemented himself as a mainstay. With each passing game comes more and more confidence. That confidence has led to Wagler leading Illinois with 15.7 points per game. That isn’t the only category he leads the program in, though.
As of right now, Wagler also leads in steals with 0.8 steals per game, and among players who average at least 10 minutes per game, he leads the team in both free throw percentage, 83.1%, and three-point percentage, 43.3%.
I haven’t even touched on the fact that the freshman is also doing well in other key metrics. Wagler is No. 3 on the team with 5.1 rebounds per game and No. 2 on the team with 3.3 assists per contest.
The level of play by Wagler is astonishing for someone who isn’t even a year removed from the high school ranks. It is no wonder that his Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougars went 22-3 last season and won the state championship, and now the team has started 0-4 this season.
With this type of production comes some accolades. Wagler will have a chance to be in the Illinois record book for years to come, but what records will the young superstar hold?
Keaton Wagler could etch his name into double-digit records in year one with the Illinois basketball program
As a freshman, it is hard to break records, especially when the holders of those records played three or four years in Champaign. Wagler can still dominate the freshman records, though.
On pace for No. 2 all-time
- 15.7 points per game
Wagler is averaging a blistering 15.7 points per game for the Illini this season, which leads the program. That is a rarity, but it is also rare for a freshman to put up that type of number. If he finishes at 15.7 points per game, Wagler would finish No. 2 all-time among Illinois freshmen, one spot behind Kiwane Garris’ record of 15.9 points per game in 1994.
- 43.3% 3-point percentage
The ability for Wagler to create his own shot and get Illinois out of tight situations is incredible. He is hitting his three-pointers at a clip of 43.3% this season. If he can keep that pace, he would finish No. 2 all-time among Illinois freshmen, right behind Jamar Smith’s 2006 campaign when he shot 48.2%.
- 83.1% free throw percentage
Wagler has been able to get to the free throw line on a consistent basis. This helps his scoring numbers. He is shooting 83.1% from the charity stripe right now, and that would end up landing him No. 2 all-time among Illinois freshmen, one spot behind Kasparas Jakucionis, who shot 84.5% in 2025.
On pace for No. 3 all-time
- 485 points in a season
Through 12 games this season, Wagler has amassed 188 points. If you average that out over the entire 31-game regular season, he is projected to have 485 points. That would land Wagler No. 3 all-time among Illinois freshmen, right behind Jakucionis in 2025 and Cory Bradford in 1999, both finishing with 494 points.
- 7.75 20+ point games
It is hard to be such a scoring threat as a true freshman, but Wagler has accomplished this with flying colors. He has three 20-point games through 12 games thus far, and if you average that out of a 31-game season, he finishes with 7.75 20-point games. That would finish No. 3 on the all-time freshman list, again behind Bradford (8) and Jakucionis (10).
- 139.5 free throws made
Wagler converts at the free throw line, which gets him more points than a lot of other players. In fact, he is currently on pace for 139.5 free throws made this season. That number would land him No. 3 on the all-time Illinois freshman list, right behind Jakucionis (142) and Garris (151).
On pace for No. 4 all-time
- 67 3-pointers made
The free throw line has been good to Wagler, but his three-point shooting is also eye-popping. He has made 26 three-pointers through 12 games, and that puts him on pace for 67 made three-pointers this season. That lands Wagler No. 4 all-time among Illinois freshmen, only behind DJ Richardson (69), Bradford (85), and Jalen Coleman-Lands (87).
On pace for Top 10 all-time
- 157 rebounds in a season
When you are a guard who is doing a lot of work offensively, it would be understandable to lack in other areas. That isn’t the case with Wagler. He has 61 rebounds this season through 12 games and is on pace for 157 rebounds. That would put him No. 10 all-time among Illinois freshmen.
- 3.3 assists per game
Wagler has been a great team guy. He moves the ball around and is always looking for the right play. That has resulted in him averaging 3.3 assists per game. If he finishes at that number, he will end up being No. 10 all-time among Illinois freshmen.
On pace for Illinois school record
- 43.3% 3-point percentage
While all of those freshmen records would be great, Wagler is also in line for an Illinois basketball record, too. Right now, he is shooting 43.3% from three-point range. That lands Wagler No. 2 among Illinois freshmen, but it also puts him No. 8 all-time in program history. That would be quite the accomplishment.