DJ Wagner has not received Louisville offer, remaining patient with recruitment

Kentucky has a new competitor for its prized recruiting target in the junior class, but not to the extent many think — not yet, anyway.

Louisville head coach Kenny Payne has expressed early interest in 2023 five-star guard Dajuan Wagner Jr., the grandson of Payne’s former teammate at UofL, Milt Wagner. The two won a national title together as players in 1986, and now, speculation has run rampant that Payne will not only make a strong push for the standout junior, but he may even hire his grandfather to help bring him to Louisville.

Could John Calipari — who coached DJ Wagner’s father, Dajuan, at Memphis — lose the blue-chip recruit to his former right-hand man at Louisville? A scholarship offer would have to come first. As of today, though, conversations between the two sides have been minimal, at best.

“They haven’t offered me as of right now. Nothing like that,” Wagner told On3’s Joe Tipton at the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team minicamp on Friday. “… I’ve heard from them, but they really haven’t started recruiting me or anything like that yet.”

He’s fond of Payne, sure. His grandfather played with him and he respects him as a coach. As of today, though, that’s the extent of the conversations.

“I don’t really have a super personal relationship with him,” Wagner told On3. “I know he’s a great coach, he’s coached at great schools before. So I know he’s a great coach and getting that job, that’s really good for him.”

Is there any pressure coming from grandpa about joining Payne at Louisville?

“No, me and my (grandpa), we just talk about regular, normal stuff,” the five-star guard said. “We just talk about regular stuff, nobody’s really brought up playing with (Payne) or anything like that.”

While talk of Louisville emerging as a top contender for Wagner has begun, Calipari and the Kentucky coaching staff continue to make it clear the 6-foot-3 guard is their top priority in the class of 2023. The entire staff was in attendance to see Wagner at the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions just three days after UK’s season ended in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

“It was crazy, I’m always happy to see any type of coach coming to watch my games and stuff,” Wagner said. “It’s always a blessing.”

Wagner previously visited Kentucky for Big Blue Madness back in October, making the trip to Lexington with fellow five-star junior and EYBL teammate Mackenzie Mgbako. It was a visit the prized recruit thought highly of, praising the fanbase and atmosphere at Rupp Arena.

“Definitely a great visit,” Wagner said. “I got to go to Big Blue Madness, it definitely was a great visit. I had a lot of fun, the atmosphere there was crazy. The people down there all love basketball, it’s a great atmosphere.”

The connections are clearly there with Calipari and the Kentucky and Memphis basketball programs. They’re also there with Louisville and the title his grandfather won as a Cardinal. Payne’s addition only pushes that connection further into the spotlight.

Does the Wagner family favor one school in particular? Not exactly. Instead, it’s a family that simply enjoys the sport.

“I wouldn’t say we’re any certain fans, certain team fans,” Wagner told On3. “We all just love college basketball as a whole. I love watching college basketball, March Madness, just watching all the teams go at it. We’re just all college basketball fans.”

Watching March Madness this year has him dreaming big for his own future as a college basketball player. He’ll attend the Final Four this weekend as a fan, as USA minicamp takes place in New Orleans. When his time comes, though, Wagner wants to be a participant.

“I feel like if you play basketball, that’s got to be one of your dreams,” Wagner said. “Playing in the Final Four, leading your team to the Final Four. It’s definitely a dream for me. “

Until then, the focus is on closing out his high school career with a bang. While some players opt to attend prep schools or find a change of scenery for their senior campaigns, Wagner has no intention of leaving Camden High School. He wants to win at home.

“I don’t plan to go anywhere,” Wagner told On3. “Right now, I plan on staying home. I plan on staying. I don’t plan on going anywhere else.”

The focus is on winning Peach Jam and then preparing for his senior season at Camden. Recruiting can wait.

“I’m not really talking about that or really thinking about that right now, until the time comes,” Wagner said. “As of right now, I’m not sure. (Peach Jam) is the goal for me.”

Wagner is rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services