Height: 6’6
Weight: 185
Class: Freshman
Draft Age: 19
One of this season’s surprise breakouts, freshman Keaton Wagler has become a staple of Illinois’ offense. With excellent positional size for a funky, off-beat combo guard, Wagler presents a lot of traits that NBA teams covet. OKC in particular appreciates the intersection between height and skill, especially when packaged with driving skills and a workable jump shot. Wagler is sinking 3s at a healthy clip, he’s able to create fissures in the defense with his stop-start, arrhythmic handles, and he’s efficiently distributing the basketball.
Wagler will get dinged in some circles for his lack of raw athleticism, but feel and handles are so much more important. Wagler has both in spades. Defensive concerns are valid, but Wagler competes hard enough and should be able to guard a few different positions with NBA strength development. Factor in the excellent defensive infrastructure around him in OKC, and this is a dream landing spot, even if he needs to wait a couple years to see the floor consistently.
Welcome to facenotee👍🏿 
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