Keaton Wagler’s mother couldn’t believe that her baby-faced son is going to the NBA.
Jennifer Wagler, a fifth-grade teacher and former college basketball player, was crying after her son Keaton was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“I’m just… I’m just proud of him following his dreams and being a great person,” Jennifer said while appearing to choke on her words to her son, who will now move to the City of Angels to be a key contributor as a guard for the Clippers. “I’m very happy for him.”
His father was thrilled for his son as well on the NBA draft post-pick interview couch.
“He may have a baby face. He may look younger than most of these guys. But he’s a killer on the court,” his father, Logan Wagler, said during the interview.
During the interview, ESPN showed his parents a picture of Keaton wearing a Superman shirt, which appeared to start the emotions for both parents, as Logan put his hand on his wife, Jennifer’s leg.
Both of his parents played college basketball, though neither pursued professional hoops.
Logan and Jennifer met while playing basketball at Hutchinson Community College from 1992 to 1994.
They live in Lenexa, Kan., where they helped mold Keaton into a star guard for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Jennifer stands at 5-foot-11, while Logan is 6-foot-5, just like his son Keaton.
Keaton was a star for an impressive Illinois squad that went to the Final Four but fell to UConn.
Keaton averaged 17.9 points per game and shot an impressive 39.7 percent from the 3-point range.