Illinois G Keaton Wagler Gaining Momentum For Nets

This year's draft class has multiple highly-touted guards towards the top of the big board, providing the Brooklyn Nets with multiple options to bolster the backcourt.

On Thursday, USA Today's Bryan Kalbrosky released their latest mock draft, with Brooklyn selecting Illinois guard Keaton Wagler at the No. 6 overall pick.

"During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler," Kalbrosky wrote. "The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini reach the Final Four, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals after scoring 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, hitting 39.7% from beyond the arc as a freshman and connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has some athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season."

Wagler has been a popular choice for Brooklyn, allowing the Nets to build around a big-guard with high upside for growth.

Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor believes that Wagler is the best guard in the draft, beating out Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr., and Houston's Kingston Flemings.

On SiriusXM on Sunday, Wagler was asked about how he views his position at the next level, considering his time playing on and off the ball at Illinois.

"For the first year— being the one or two guard. Whatever the team needs. I just think, as I continue to get stronger and put on weight, I can get up to playing the three."

Standing at 6-foot-6, 180 pounds, Wagler will definitely need to bulk up to play as a two guard or forward, but his passing ability projects him as a point guard, at least in the beginning of his career.

Wagler is a willing passer that can play multiple roles to help his team win, at times stepping aside and allowing the Illini's other talented scorers to carry the offensive load.

However, when he needs to pour it on, Wagler can do so.

In a regular season matchup at Mackey Arena, Wagler lit up Purdue for 46 points, knocking down nine 3-pointers.

As an under-recruited freshman, Wagler walked into one of the toughest environments in college sports and set the record for the most points ever scored by a visiting player at Mackey.

Wagler also had a strong March Madness, helping Illinois end a more than 20-year Final Four drought.

Although UConn ended the Illini's run, Wagler showed up, scoring 20 points.

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