5-star guard DJ Wagner taking time with decision, looking for "home"

A college decision will not come this week for 2023 five-star guard DJ Wagner. Instead, the top-three prospect plans to sit down after Peach Jam and weigh his options with his family.

Until then, his focus is on basketball and having fun to close out his grassroots career in North Augusta.

The Peach Jam experience

“It’s been a great experience, playing in this kind of atmosphere,” Wagner said in an exclusive interview with KSR. “Just a surreal experience, there’s really nothing like this. Playing in front of all of these people, coaches, it’s a great experience.”

During his time at Peach Jam, Wagner has impressed as an all-around talent, even as he has struggled to find his shot. When his jumper isn’t falling, he’s defending, grabbing rebounds or facilitating for his teammates.

Even still, he’s averaging 16.2 points through five games.

“I think I’ve played pretty good, could’ve played better,” he told KSR. “There’s always room for improvement. Honestly, I just like to win. I don’t even focus on being better than other people, being ranked higher, stuff like that. I go out there and have fun, just play and do what I can do to win.”

Recruiting is a “blessing”

Back to his recruitment, something he sees as a “blessing,” no matter how chaotic it gets at times.

“I just look at it as a blessing,” he said. “Any type of school that offers me, D1, any school at all, I look at it as a blessing.”

It’s a very high-profile battle between Kentucky and Louisville, the top contenders in his recruitment coming down the home stretch. Despite being the center of attention between two basketball-hungry fanbases, he’s ignoring the drama and simply enjoying the process. At the end of the day, he knows he’ll make the right decision.

“It doesn’t frustrate me or anything, I just have fun with it, have fun with recruiting,” he told KSR. “I really don’t focus on that kind of stuff, you know? When the time comes, I’m going to make the best decision for me. I’m going to pick the school that’s best for me. I don’t really get frustrated or nothing like that, don’t worry about all that crazy stuff.”

Kentucky vs. Louisville

What about those two programs stand out?

“(Kentucky), it’s a great program,” he told KSR. “For years, it’s been a great program, a very successful program. It’s been good, been fun being around that program since I was younger. I grew up with it, seeing different practices, stuff like that. It’s definitely been great, because I’m a fan of college basketball, all college teams. Anytime I get to watch college basketball, any team, any practice or anything, I love it.”

As for Louisville, Wagner likes where things stand under head coach Kenny Payne.

“It’s been really good,” he said of his relationship with the Cardinals. “I’m just enjoying the process, taking it day by day. So yeah, it’s been good. It’s just been good.”

Are those his only two options? The five-star guard says he remains in contact with other programs, but didn’t single out any in particular.

“There are a couple of different programs, I can’t really think of them right now,” he said. “But there are definitely some other programs I’m interested in and that I like.”

A decision timeline

As for a decision, Wagner made it clear that a commitment was not coming this week, regardless of what reports or rumors are out there. He will, however, sit down with his family after Peach Jam and start inching closer toward a commitment.

On his end, there’s no rush.

“No, I’m definitely not committing this week or anything like that,” Wagner told KSR. “I’m definitely taking my time with it. As of right now, I don’t know when I’m going to commit. I’m just taking it day by day, taking my time. I know for sure I’m not committing this week.”

When it does come time to make a commitment, what will be the most important factor for the five-star guard?

“Just a school I can feel at home at,” he told KSR. “A school I can go to and really be successful at.”

Wagner is rated as the No. 2 overall prospect and No. 1 combo guard in the rising senior class.

Will it be Kentucky or will it be Louisville?