Wagler declares for NBA draft

QChawks

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Hawk_4shur

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Quite the story. Went back and looked at his HS recruiting. Illinois and Minnesota were the only major schools to offer. He was a high 3 or low 4, ranked 150th in the country. From the KC area and K State and KU both passed.

Now he's going to the NBA. Wow.

He's a great player, but I can't help but think he could use more time in CBB. Could have gone to any school he wanted and make millions while getting more experience and strength.

I don't think Illinois beats the Hawks in the E8 without him. Glad he's gone.
 

Rambler Hawk

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Oct 10, 2001
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Quite the story. Went back and looked at his HS recruiting. Illinois and Minnesota were the only major schools to offer. He was a high 3 or low 4, ranked 150th in the country. From the KC area and K State and KU both passed.

Now he's going to the NBA. Wow.

He's a great player, but I can't help but think he could use more time in CBB. Could have gone to any school he wanted and make millions while getting more experience and strength.

I don't think Illinois beats the Hawks in the E8 without him. Glad he's gone.
Yeah, I thought of that too - but he will probably sign a 4 yr contract in the $40 MIL range, so even the deep pockets in Champaign can’t match that. I did see once interest list that had Drake on it, so I am guessing Ben was aware of his talent but just could not compete with an Illinois offer. Crazy that neither Kansas school had an offer on the table. šŸ˜Ž I guess it goes to show that talent still can be ā€˜mined’, but the days of then enjoying that talent for 4 years are long since goneā€¦šŸ„²
 
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Palmerhawk

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Jul 3, 2025
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Illini are going all in again with two top 10 portal guards and top 30 HS guard in vlaad,blackwell(rumored) and coleman.
If they retain the balkan 5 frontcourt, they will be FF worthy again

Yes, good chance Wagler commits to drake if illini had not stepped in...easily could have been a Hawkeye if things fell right.
 
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HawksRule25

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Sep 8, 2023
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Illini are going all in again with two top 10 portal guards and top 30 HS guard in vlaad,blackwell(rumored) and coleman.
If they retain the balkan 5 frontcourt, they will be FF worthy again

Yes, good chance Wagler commits to drake if illini had not stepped in...easily could have been a Hawkeye if things fell right.

 

HawkInDenver

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Apr 16, 2024
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Yeah, I thought of that too - but he will probably sign a 4 yr contract in the $40 MIL range, so even the deep pockets in Champaign can’t match that. I did see once interest list that had Drake on it, so I am guessing Ben was aware of his talent but just could not compete with an Illinois offer. Crazy that neither Kansas school had an offer on the table. šŸ˜Ž I guess it goes to show that talent still can be ā€˜mined’, but the days of then enjoying that talent for 4 years are long since goneā€¦šŸ„²
I'm not surprised KU didn't offer because they seemingly only recruit 5 star guys. I don't know what KSU's excuse was.
 
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The Big Z

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I'm not surprised KU didn't offer because they seemingly only recruit 5 star guys. I don't know what KSU's excuse was.
Zero Power 5 schools offered him until Illinois. He was 5-8 as a high school Freshman, and even as a high school Jr though he was on a state championship team he played with a 7 ft Center and some other really good players. And he was extremely unselfish. Also never went to any of the Elite AAU programs in KC because he liked his current Summer team. Seems like a great family and great kid. Trusted the process and it all worked out for him.
 

Rambler Hawk

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Zero Power 5 schools offered him until Illinois. He was 5-8 as a high school Freshman, and even as a high school Jr though he was on a state championship team he played with a 7 ft Center and some other really good players. And he was extremely unselfish. Also never went to any of the Elite AAU programs in KC because he liked his current Summer team. Seems like a great family and great kid. Trusted the process and it all worked out for him.
Good stuff - thanks for that Z!šŸ‘
 

HawkInDenver

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Not sure about these guys, but if the retain stojakovic and get Blackwell they will be a tough out….plus they always seem to grab highly rated HS recruits each year. šŸ˜•
I've always thought IL should be a perennial top 10 program -a very rich talent state. I remember during the Lou Henson days having discussions with IL fans about how they could / should be better than the (mostly) good but not great teams they had back then. They seemed to be happy just cracking the top 25 and making it to the Tourney. I think they are poised to reload each year now. (no, not happy about that)
 
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The Big Z

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I've always thought IL should be a perennial top 10 program -a very rich talent state. I remember during the Lou Henson days having discussions with IL fans about how they could / should be better than the (mostly) good but not great teams they had back then. They seemed to be happy just cracking the top 25 and making it to the Tourney. I think they are poised to reload each year now. (no, not happy about that)
Problem is Chicago recruiting has been dirty forever. Also for some reason seems like Duke was able to land a few guys out of at least the Chicago land area. Suburbs you would think should have some talent as well with all the population.