2023's No. 1 recruit DJ Wagner has basketball in his blood
Dajuan ‘DJ’ Wagner Jr., the No. 1 ranked recruit in the class of 2023, has basketball in his blood. The last name Wagner has been tied to Camden High for three generations as DJ’s father and grandfather played for the purple and gold before becoming McDonald’s All-Americans, and eventually pros. It’s safe to say DJ is next in line to follow suit.
DJ’s father, Dajuan Sr. is arguably the greatest high school basketball player in New Jersey history. Dajuan once scored 100 points in a single game and averaged 42.5 points an outing as a senior. To no surprise, he currently holds New Jersey’s all-time scoring record, after tallying over 3,400 points in his time at Camden. Wagner went on to sign with the Memphis Tigers, coached by John Calipari. After one year of college, Wagner entered the NBA draft in 2002, where was selected as the No. 6 overall pick. Due to health problems, Wagner had a short career in the NBA.
DJ’s grandfather, Milton Wagner, played college ball at the University of Louisville, where he won a national championship in 1986. Milton went on to have a long career in the pros and won an NBA championship in 1986. After his playing days were over, he served under Calipari at Memphis, as the Tigers’ operations coordinator. He then coached as an assistant under Tony Barbee (former Kentucky assistant) at both UTEP and Auburn, before wrapping up his career in 2014.
Wagner not worried about his No. 1 ranking
It goes without saying that hoops are in DJ’s genes, and his last name carries some major weight, especially where he’s from. However, Wagner lets his game do most of the talking. The 6-foot-3 guard is smooth, yet flashy and plays with a swagger on the court. However, off of it, Wagner is a quiet, low-key, regular 16-year old junior. He doesn’t have the “Hollywood haze” in his eyes, as you might assume with a player in his situation. Despite the young fame, notoriety, and expectation that comes with being the No. 1 ranked recruit, Wagner takes it in stride and doesn’t feel any pressure to live up to any sort of title.
“I don’t see it as pressure,” Wagner said. “I don’t focus on rankings and that kind of stuff. I’m just focused on my team and winning, that’s what I’m focused on. So, I don’t see it as pressure, I’m just playing something I love to do. We are all just playing something we love to do together so none of us see it as pressure. We are really just out there having fun.”
Kentucky connection
With all the connections to Kentucky, it’s no surprise that John Calipari and the Wildcats are the presumed favorites to land Wagner. Despite denying Kentucky rumors, opposing college coaches aren’t buying it. DJ holds just five reported scholarship offers – Kentucky, Syracuse, Temple, Villanova, and Memphis.
“I’m still open to all opportunities. I’m still open to everyone,” Wagner told KSR last week at the Hoophall Classic. “I really love all the schools that call me, appreciate all the schools that call and text me, stuff like that.”
The Kentucky connection only strengthened when DJ’s brother, Kareem Watkins, signed as a walk-on in late 2020.
“That’s my brother, my blood brother so the connection is great,” Wagner said. “We are like best friends. He’s a goofball, just like me.”
Wagner visited Kentucky officially in October for Big Blue Madness.
“It was great. Kentucky fans, they love basketball,” Wagner told KSR. “It’s a great atmosphere, so I had a great time there. Just interacting with the coaches, talking with the coaches. They’re just great people, you know? I had a great time there. I got to go to Big Blue Madness, and that just showed how crazy the atmosphere was and how the fans love basketball down there.”
To no surprise, Wagner says he grew up watching Kentucky, adding “it’s definitely a great school.”
The Memphis Tigers
Wagner has only taken one other official visit, to see Penny Hardaway and Memphis. DJ recapped the visit by saying, “It was great. They’ve got a great atmosphere. Their fans love basketball just like Camden fans do.”
It’s also important to note that Temple and Villanova have both hosted Wagner unofficially.
College is the focus
A variety of professional routes — the G-League, Overtime Elite, NBL, etc — are targeting the nation’s top prospects, and I have no doubt Wagner is also on their radar. But rest assured, taking the pro route doesn’t seem to be on DJ’s mind.
“I don’t know much about pro ball, all that kind of stuff, ” Wagner said to KSR. “As of right now, I’m going to college for sure. But right now I’m focused on high school.”
Wagner in no rush when it comes to recruiting
DJ Wagner isn’t too worried about the recruiting process or making a decision just yet.
“Right now I’m not really focused on where I’m going. I’m just focused on high school,” he says.
After Camden’s season ends, Wagner says he will start focusing on it more.
“Obviously right now we’re in the high school season, (but after) is when I’ll really start to focus on that kind of stuff and looking into it.”
However, Wagner does know what he’s looking for at the next level.
“Just a place that I can feel at home, and a place where I know they care about me.”