Keaton Wagler

BigGargamel · Post #1 » by **BigGargamel** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:21 am

I've had him in the 20's in my mocks for a month or so, but he just dropped 46 points against perhaps the best team in the country, so it's time for a thread.

The 247 composite recruit rankings had him at 261(!!) but he's obviously obliterated those rankings.

Heck of a scorer, can play some point guard. Not much of a defender, but he can really score, could be instant offense off of an NBA bench.

King Ken · Post #2 » by **King Ken** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:40 am

I am one that doesn't think he will enter but he's top 6 for sure. Top 5 is locked to me but he's clearly 6. Acuff, Jayden Quaintance, and Yaxel have been locking up the rest of the top 10 with Keaton entering but Keaton hasn't just entered. He's now #6. Passing those 3.

FarBeyondDriven · Post #3 » by **FarBeyondDriven** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:47 am

Looked like Steph today

pcbothwel · Post #4 » by **pcbothwel** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 2:29 pm

He's Austin Reaves with the chance to be Brandon Roy...He's top 10 on my board ahead of Acuff, Peat, Quaintance, Philon, etc.

tontoz · Post #5 » by **tontoz** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 4:28 pm

I've had him in the lottery for awhile. His skills and IQ are high level and he has ice in his veins. He just dropped 46 on network TV and barely changed expression the whole game.

SNPA · Post #6 » by **SNPA** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:47 pm

King Ken wrote:I am one that doesn't think he will enter but he's top 6 for sure. Top 5 is locked to me but he's clearly 6. Acuff, Jayden Quaintance, and Yaxel have been locking up the rest of the top 10 with Keaton entering but Keaton hasn't just entered. He's now #6. Passing those 3.

100%.

It’s a top six and he is in it. This kid is a stud. He will be a PG too, to many people calling him a wing.

Damn I hope the Kings don’t fall to seven, I don’t see another guy worth it. It’s top six or trade IMO.

babyjax13 · Post #7 » by **babyjax13** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 8:01 pm

OT but how is Quiantance a lock for anything? He has no discernible skill on offense and still hasn't recovered from injury. I think it is more likely he is in school another year than it is that he is drafted top 20.

As for Wagler, I like him. I think he fills a role like Huerter, LeVert, or early career Kennard as a great shooter who can also be a secondary initiator on offense. He also has more physicality so I think he is a better prospect than those guys. I hesitate to say he is a top 10 lock, but I could for sure see him going top 10. I doubt he stays another year given that, getting to that second contract is too valuable. If he were likely to go in the 20s I could see justifying staying bc of the chance of sliding and that a year in college may be more lucrative than his rookie contract in the late 1st/early 2nd.

babyjax13 · Post #8 » by **babyjax13** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 8:02 pm

tontoz wrote:I've had him in the lottery for awhile. His skills and IQ are high level and he has ice in his veins. He just dropped 46 on network TV and barely changed expression the whole game.

I will have to watch that game. I haven't seen him explode, just normal games.

King Ken · Post #9 » by **King Ken** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:31 pm

babyjax13 wrote:OT but how is Quiantance a lock for anything? He has no discernible skill on offense and still hasn't recovered from injury. I think it is more likely he is in school another year than it is that he is drafted top 20.

As for Wagler, I like him. I think he fills a role like Huerter, LeVert, or early career Kennard as a great shooter who can also be a secondary initiator on offense. He also has more physicality so I think he is a better prospect than those guys. I hesitate to say he is a top 10 lock, but I could for sure see him going top 10. I doubt he stays another year given that, getting to that second contract is too valuable. If he were likely to go in the 20s I could see justifying staying bc of the chance of sliding and that a year in college may be more lucrative than his rookie contract in the late 1st/early 2nd.

It's impossible to find bigs like him. I'll take my chances with him.

tontoz · Post #10 » by **tontoz** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:36 pm

King Ken wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:OT but how is Quiantance a lock for anything? He has no discernible skill on offense and still hasn't recovered from injury. I think it is more likely he is in school another year than it is that he is drafted top 20.

As for Wagler, I like him. I think he fills a role like Huerter, LeVert, or early career Kennard as a great shooter who can also be a secondary initiator on offense. He also has more physicality so I think he is a better prospect than those guys. I hesitate to say he is a top 10 lock, but I could for sure see him going top 10. I doubt he stays another year given that, getting to that second contract is too valuable. If he were likely to go in the 20s I could see justifying staying bc of the chance of sliding and that a year in college may be more lucrative than his rookie contract in the late 1st/early 2nd.

It's impossible to find bigs like him. I'll take my chances with him.

I think the idea of Quaintance might be greater than the reality. The idea is a guy who has the size and strength to guard big centers while also being athletic enough to guard in space and protect the rim.

I am not sure if that will be the reality though. Last time I watched him he was getting bullied by the opposing center and didn't look that good defending in space

King Ken · Post #11 » by **King Ken** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:40 pm

tontoz wrote:
King Ken wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:OT but how is Quiantance a lock for anything? He has no discernible skill on offense and still hasn't recovered from injury. I think it is more likely he is in school another year than it is that he is drafted top 20.

As for Wagler, I like him. I think he fills a role like Huerter, LeVert, or early career Kennard as a great shooter who can also be a secondary initiator on offense. He also has more physicality so I think he is a better prospect than those guys. I hesitate to say he is a top 10 lock, but I could for sure see him going top 10. I doubt he stays another year given that, getting to that second contract is too valuable. If he were likely to go in the 20s I could see justifying staying bc of the chance of sliding and that a year in college may be more lucrative than his rookie contract in the late 1st/early 2nd.

It's impossible to find bigs like him. I'll take my chances with him.

I think the idea of Quaintance might be greater than the reality. The idea is a guy who has the size and strength to guard big centers while also being athletic enough to guard in space and protect the rim.

I am not sure if that will be the reality though. Last time I watched him he was getting bullied by the opposing center and didn't look that good defending in space

It's the flashes. You really can't teach it. Guys bounce off of him. He has dribble drive flashes. He has DHO flashes. There is a lot of Bam Adebayo in his game. He also is around 250 now with a body type that can get to 260-265 and athletic. His defensive abilities are real and he can defend in space. Guys like him are the guys that shoot up the draft board because they're bodies are made for the NBA type of game.

azcatz11 · Post #12 » by **azcatz11** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:48 pm

babyjax13 wrote:OT but how is Quiantance a lock for anything? He has no discernible skill on offense and still hasn't recovered from injury. I think it is more likely he is in school another year than it is that he is drafted top 20.

As for Wagler, I like him. I think he fills a role like Huerter, LeVert, or early career Kennard as a great shooter who can also be a secondary initiator on offense. He also has more physicality so I think he is a better prospect than those guys. I hesitate to say he is a top 10 lock, but I could for sure see him going top 10. I doubt he stays another year given that, getting to that second contract is too valuable. If he were likely to go in the 20s I could see justifying staying bc of the chance of sliding and that a year in college may be more lucrative than his rookie contract in the late 1st/early 2nd.

Because people love kids that are 17. Same thing happened with Boswell a few years ago. He’s living off that hype still

babyjax13 · Post #13 » by **babyjax13** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:49 pm

azcatz11 wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:OT but how is Quiantance a lock for anything? He has no discernible skill on offense and still hasn't recovered from injury. I think it is more likely he is in school another year than it is that he is drafted top 20.

As for Wagler, I like him. I think he fills a role like Huerter, LeVert, or early career Kennard as a great shooter who can also be a secondary initiator on offense. He also has more physicality so I think he is a better prospect than those guys. I hesitate to say he is a top 10 lock, but I could for sure see him going top 10. I doubt he stays another year given that, getting to that second contract is too valuable. If he were likely to go in the 20s I could see justifying staying bc of the chance of sliding and that a year in college may be more lucrative than his rookie contract in the late 1st/early 2nd.

Because people love kids that are 17. Same thing happened with Boswell a few years ago. He’s living off that hype still

See, I still like Boswell, I think he will be a very good backup haha

babyjax13 · Post #14 » by **babyjax13** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:50 pm

King Ken wrote:
tontoz wrote:
King Ken wrote:It's impossible to find bigs like him. I'll take my chances with him.

I think the idea of Quaintance might be greater than the reality. The idea is a guy who has the size and strength to guard big centers while also being athletic enough to guard in space and protect the rim.

I am not sure if that will be the reality though. Last time I watched him he was getting bullied by the opposing center and didn't look that good defending in space

It's the flashes. You really can't teach it. Guys bounce off of him. He has dribble drive flashes. He has DHO flashes. There is a lot of Bam Adebayo in his game. He also is around 250 now with a body type that can get to 260-265 and athletic. His defensive abilities are real and he can defend in space. Guys like him are the guys that shoot up the draft board because they're bodies are made for the NBA type of game.

Bam is really skilled, though.

tontoz · Post #15 » by **tontoz** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:50 pm

King Ken wrote:
tontoz wrote:
King Ken wrote:It's impossible to find bigs like him. I'll take my chances with him.

I think the idea of Quaintance might be greater than the reality. The idea is a guy who has the size and strength to guard big centers while also being athletic enough to guard in space and protect the rim.

I am not sure if that will be the reality though. Last time I watched him he was getting bullied by the opposing center and didn't look that good defending in space

It's the flashes. You really can't teach it. Guys bounce off of him. He has dribble drive flashes. He has DHO flashes. There is a lot of Bam Adebayo in his game. He also is around 250 now with a body type that can get to 260-265 and athletic. His defensive abilities are real and he can defend in space. Guys like him are the guys that shoot up the draft board because they're bodies are made for the NBA type of game.

How many times have you watched him for a full game? The only game I watched was against Alabama. He didn't look good. I am hoping that it was because of his knee.

He was getting bullied and some of his closeouts to shooters were pretty bad.

Benjammin · Post #16 » by **Benjammin** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:57 pm

This is the Wagler thread fwiw, not that other guy.

Sent from my Pixel 10 Pro XL using Tapatalk

King Ken · Post #17 » by **King Ken** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 10:08 pm

tontoz wrote:
King Ken wrote:
tontoz wrote:
I think the idea of Quaintance might be greater than the reality. The idea is a guy who has the size and strength to guard big centers while also being athletic enough to guard in space and protect the rim.

I am not sure if that will be the reality though. Last time I watched him he was getting bullied by the opposing center and didn't look that good defending in space

It's the flashes. You really can't teach it. Guys bounce off of him. He has dribble drive flashes. He has DHO flashes. There is a lot of Bam Adebayo in his game. He also is around 250 now with a body type that can get to 260-265 and athletic. His defensive abilities are real and he can defend in space. Guys like him are the guys that shoot up the draft board because they're bodies are made for the NBA type of game.

How many times have you watched him for a full game? The only game I watched was against Alabama. He didn't look good. I am hoping that it was because of his knee.

He was getting bullied and some of his closeouts to shooters were pretty bad.

I've watched about 4 games of his at Arizona State and all of them at Kentucky

SNPA · Post #18 » by **SNPA** » Tue Jan 27, 2026 7:25 am

Love his game. He’s a player. A team can give him the ball and a decade and have it be a good bet.

tontoz · Post #19 » by **tontoz** » Tue Jan 27, 2026 11:08 pm

I love Waglers game i am just not sure how much weight to give for his lack of athleticism.

Chi town · Post #20 » by **Chi town** » Wed Jan 28, 2026 3:28 am

tontoz wrote:I love Waglers game i am just not sure how much weight to give for his lack of athleticism.

He put 46 all in the halfcourt.

He reminds me of a stronger Haliburton with that stepback 3 and crazy pull up 3 range. He will def draw more fouls and it looks like his body will fill in more.

I’m concerned about his athleticism for D. Is he a Luka type defender?