We’re gonna need a bigger bandwagon.<\/p>\n
Everyone, it seems, is joining in the hype surrounding Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler<\/a>, who has evolved from local curiosity to regional star to national supernova in a matter of weeks. The latest true believers: ESPN “College GameDay,” which on Saturday aired a segment featuring Wagler and whose analysts spoke glowingly of the flourishing first-year Illini point guard, including offering a couple of NBA comparisons that would have broken brains back in November.<\/p>\n Now? They’re just more superlatives to heap on Wagner’s growing pile of them.<\/p>\n Seth Greenberg’s NBA comparison for Keaton Wagler<\/p>\n After “GameDay” host Rece Davis pointed out that Wagler had been “barely noted as a recruit” and was rated by one recruiting service as the No. 261 prospect in his 2026 class, he asked analyst Seth Greenberg \u2013 a 22-year NCAA coaching veteran \u2013 what he thinks about Wagler.<\/p>\n “I think Steph Curry,” Greenberg said. “Slight in build, not slight in game. Unlimited range. Great feel. … Plays with great poise, great pace. An elite offensive player in a great system. With this dude, he reminds me of Steph Curry in terms of his game and how it will translate to the next level.”<\/p>\n The BEST of Steph Curry (31 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 8.5 apg) from the @warriors<\/a> W’s in Games 1 & 2 of the #NBAFinals<\/a>! #DubNation<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xxSMRBK9ql<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) June 4, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n Wow. Curry may be getting a little long in the tooth in his 17th season with the Golden State Warriors, but last we checked he was an 11-time NBA All-Star, two-time MVP and a four-time NBA champion. Oh, and not for nothing, but even now in his age-37 season, Curry is averaging 27.2 points and leading the league in three-point makes per game (4.5) \u2013 which would be the 11th time he accomplished that feat.<\/p>\n There are differences, of course: Wagler is 6-foot-6, compared to Curry’s 6-foot-2 frame. Wagler is the better rebounder, but Curry is craftier with his dribble. And as brilliantly as Wagler has shot the three through two-thirds of a college season, he has a long way to go to prove he’s anywhere near the match of Curry \u2013 who’s quick release, range and ability to hit threes on the move, at all angles, in any situation is still incomparable. Still, the basic outlines of the comparison make sense.<\/p>\n Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler’s rise to college superstar is one of the best stories in college basketball \u203c\ufe0f<\/p>\n The freshman just went off against No.5 Nebraska \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n 28 PTS | 7-15 FG | 4-9 3PT | 5 REB | 5 AST pic.twitter.com\/PZ7hHJGglW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 B\/R Hoops (@brhoops) February 1, 2026<\/a>Jay Bilas’ NBA comparison for Keaton Wagler<\/p>\n Up after Greenberg was Jay Bilas, the former Duke forward and longtime ESPN college hoops analyst.<\/p>\n “I think he’s Tyrese Haliburton \u2013 that’s the one he reminds me of,” Bilas said of Wagler. “He processes a fast game slowly, and that’s unique for a freshman. He’s incredible.”<\/p>\n TYRESE HALIBURTON IN GAME 4 \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc0 32 points
\ud83c\udfc0 12 rebounds
\ud83c\udfc0 15 assists
\ud83c\udfc0 0 turnovers pic.twitter.com\/q479NOVb4K<\/a><\/p>\n