CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illini men's basketball had three players honored with All-Big Ten recognitions and awards for their performance during the 2025-26 season.
Freshman guard and all-american candidate, Keaton Wagler, earned several awards, including All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In addition, he was a unanimous pick by the coaches to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Wagler's historic freshman season for Illinois has made national headlines. The Shawnee, Kansas, native broke the program's freshman scoring record and is on pace to set the program's rookie scoring average record as well. Wagler was a six-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week and earned National Player of the Week accolades following his 46-point performance in the win at No. 4 Purdue on Jan. 24 that marked the most points by any player in a top-10 road win and the most ever by a Big Ten freshman.
Wagler is the 5th Big Ten Freshman of the Year in school history and first since Kofi Cockburn in 2020.
David Mirkovic was also selected on the coaches' Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and was named as an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. Mirkovic averages 13.2 points per game and is the Illini's leading rebounder at 7.8 rpg.
Senior and Champaign native, Kylan Boswell, received All-Big Ten honorable mention in the media poll, and was picked by coaches for the Big Ten All-Defensive Team. In addition to his scoring efforts, averaging 13.3 ppg, Boswell is also averaging 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists. The guard has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile defenders in the country, guarding every opposing position on the court.
No. 4 seed Illinois opens Big Ten Tournament play in the quarterfinal round on Friday at 1:30 p.m. CT on BTN.
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