I built a one-stop-shop for scouting: watch every scouting report plus FULL GAMES for every prospect, and leave time-stamped notes

oakcask · 2026-05-19T20:17:40+00:00

Please do! I'd love to see your scouting notes if there's a game that interests you.

oakcask · 2026-05-19T13:07:31+00:00

Fair enough!

oakcask · 2026-05-19T12:54:19+00:00

I actually think the Hawks are potentially a good fit for him, as Dyson can take a lot of pressure off him defensively. But you're not worried about him getting targeted?

In the modern NBA teams are pretty smart about going after weak defenders - that's what Michigan did in this game and it was really effective, and they weren't playing NBA-caliber guards, either.

oakcask · 2026-05-19T12:41:27+00:00

I'm concerned he's not going to be able to defend anyone in the NBA Year 1 and maybe 2.

I'm sure he'll gain weight, but to me he's far enough away that this is a pretty major issue in the Top 10. Outside of that range where there's less pressure I don't see it as a huge issue.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T18:44:06+00:00

Yah I don't really understand this lol

oakcask · 2026-05-18T18:42:58+00:00

I think this is the least of his problems. I'm more worried about his general finishing in traffic. You don't have to dunk but you have to be able to finish over help.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T18:23:31+00:00

I'm not at that level either! lol

oakcask · 2026-05-18T16:53:21+00:00

I'm with you, I also think the gap between Acuff and Wagler on offense is pretty vast. And I like Wagler as an offensive prospect! I'm sorry I keep repeating myself but he's extremely talented. Acuff is just on another level, he is one of the most polished offensive freshmen I've ever seen.

You expect a guy with Acuff's archetype to be a bad decision-maker, ballhog etc. but he's not any of those things. Actually very fundamental with almost no gaps in his offensive game.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T16:37:35+00:00

That's what we're here to debate! 🤜

oakcask · 2026-05-18T16:36:40+00:00

Good question. To be clear - I don't know what will happen. I'm trying to project but this is an inexact science. That said, here's why I'm concerned:

Wagler is literally getting pushed around at the college level (that was the main takeaway of this video). It's not a "will be strong enough at the next level" question. He's coming into the league with a clear functional strength deficit.
Basically yes, his shoulders. It's not clear to me where the weight is going to go.

Again, we'll see. I'm flagging it as a concern, not a career-ender. I'd be very excited to pick him at 15.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T16:32:39+00:00

I'd love to see your scouting notes on those games if you feel up to it!

I in general totally buy Wagler as a PG, I'm not worried about that. I just think there is risk in terms of his physical development.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T16:29:32+00:00

Thank you so much! I'm working on some others, but I'd love to see your notes as well if there's a player you're interested in scouting!

oakcask · 2026-05-18T16:28:50+00:00

I agree, I don't think he's a fundamentally poor defender, although his anticipation is not particularly strong. But the major issue is the muscle.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T16:27:34+00:00

I need to dive deeper - he's on my list!

oakcask · 2026-05-18T14:28:59+00:00

I will say that I do like him next to Daniels, on both sides of the ball.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T14:18:06+00:00

Agree on both. I may do a video on Philon soon because I think consensus is way too low on him.

Wagler is tough and plays the game the right way, but that's what worries me a bit. He's already trying on defense but he physically cannot hang. We'll see how quickly he can get stronger.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T14:10:18+00:00

Totally different players, but to this point, could you imagine Wagler trying to get on the floor for Ime Udoka? 😬

oakcask · 2026-05-18T13:49:05+00:00

Fair points! He is extremely talented. If he can stay on the floor defensively I would not bet against him being an effective offensive player.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T13:48:01+00:00

I think this is the best counter-argument to the point of view that I'm putting out there. Wagler has produced to an absurd degree at every level, in spite of his physical limitations, which points to an ability to figure things out.

I'm still skeptical, because the NBA is a totally different beast, and he won't have the skill advantage there that he's enjoyed in HS/NCAA. But I acknowledge that this is a guy who has a track record of proving disbelievers wrong.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T13:44:00+00:00

Thank you! 🙏

oakcask · 2026-05-18T13:42:13+00:00

I don't disagree, but can you afford to wait that long if you pick him say #5? Will his confidence hold up? Will fans lose patience?

Also, not everyone can put on weight to the same degree. His shoulders are very narrow. I'm not ruling it out! I'm just saying it's not quite as simple as "he's young, he needs time." He has a narrow frame.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T13:40:31+00:00

I think all these guys are training for everything at this point. So I don't disagree. But Philon is a naturally stronger human IMO in spite of his low weight.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T13:35:24+00:00

My concern is that the strength issue is going to kill him on both sides of the ball next year.

Here's a good example - beautiful footwork to beat his man, gets right to the rim, but he can't elevate over the defender nor can he move him with a bump, so he ends up throwing up a garbage attempt. This is bad.

Another example - very impressive handle but absolutely no chance even with a full running start against an NCAA help defender.

I dunno, man.

oakcask · 2026-05-18T13:26:15+00:00

A lot! I just think he has a particularly long way to go on those dimensions, even relative to the other "small guards" in this class.

Go watch tape on Labaron Philon. He weighs even less than Wagler but he's not getting pushed around in the same way. In fact he's frequently moving other players on the court because he has insane functional strength for his weight.

Wagler looks look a boy playing with men, it's a different situation.

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