U.S. Basketball Writers Association Release
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.–Illini star freshman Keaton Wagler earned his latest national honor Tuesday, as he was selected Oscar Robertson High-Major Player of the Month for January by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. For the month, Wagler averaged 21.5 points, 4.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds while leading the Illini to an 8-0 record.
Wagler Notes
• One of two NCAA freshmen averaging at least 18 points, five rebounds and four assists this season.
• Leads the nation in offensive rating among players with at least 24% possessions used at 140.7, while ranking eighth overall (kenpom)
• Current scoring average of 18.1 points is on pace to break the Illini all-time freshman season scoring record set in 1993-94 (Kiwane Garris, 15.9 ppg)
• Third in the Big Ten in scoring during conference play, averaging 22.0 points
• Also ranks in the top-10 during league play in 3-point shooting (.468, 2nd), assists (5.3 apg, 6th) and field goal percentage (.500, 8th)
• Averaging 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists over the last 14 games while shooting 50% from the field, 47% from three, and 82% from the line
• Has scored in double figures in each of the last 14 games, and 19 times on the season
• Has seven 20-point games, closing in on the Illini freshman season record of 10 (Kasparas Jakucionis)
• Five-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the second-most freshman awards in school history (Kofi Cockburn, 7)
• National Player of the Week following his record-setting 46-point performance in a win at No. 4 Purdue (Jan. 24)
Wagler is the third true-freshman to receive the award this season, following Duke's Cameron Boozer in November and BYU's AJ Dybantsa in December.Â
Winners of 11 in a row, Wagler and the No. 5 Fighting Illini are back home Wednesday night, facing Northwestern at 8 p.m. in Hail to the Orange Out at State Farm Center. Tickets are available online at FightingIllini.com.
