DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards earn win with Team USA at Nike Hoop Summit
It wasn’t the most efficient shooting display for either of DJ Wagner or Justin Edwards at the Nike Hoop Summit, but the Kentucky signees managed to do enough to help lead Team USA to a 90-84 victory over Team World out in Portland, OR late Saturday evening.
Two of 13 total players representing the United States in the prestigious event, Wagner and Edwards both finished in double figures, only six in total to do so. The former finished with 10 points on 4-14 shooting, 0-3 from three and 2-4 at the line while adding four rebounds, one assist, one block and zero turnovers in 25 minutes. As for the latter, he also added 10 points on 4-11 shooting and 1-3 from deep to go with five rebounds and zero turnovers in just over 14 minutes of playing time.
Texas signee Ron Holland led the team in scoring with 15 points to go with nine rebounds, six steals, five assists and a block, followed by USC signee Isaiah Collier and unsigned senior Bronny James with 11 points apiece. Duke signee Jared McCain rounded out double-digit scorers with 10.
Wagner and Edwards both started for USA, joined by Holland, Collier and Sean Stewart.
Team World was led by future Blue Devil Mackenzie Mgbako with 22 points on 6-14 shooting and 2-5 from three to go with eight rebounds and an assist. Miami (FL) signee Michael Nwoko added 17 points and eight rebounds, followed by Auburn signee Aden Holloway with 15 points and Stanford signee Andrej Stojakovic with 12 points.
It was a back-and-forth battle that saw World hold a 70-69 lead with 7:56 to go and trail by a single bucket at 77-74 with just five minutes remaining, a four-point deficit with 31 seconds to go. At the end of the day, though, USA hit the shots and free throws when they mattered most to secure the victory.
And the pair of future Wildcats played a significant part in that, both converting on tough buckets while also making winning plays beyond scoring. Wagner asserted himself as an initiator and slithered through for three crafty layups at the rim while also knocking down a mid-range pull-up. Edwards knocked down a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer while also finishing a strong and-one floater through contact, going coast-to-coast for a smooth bucket at the rim and hitting a smooth mid-range jumper — a go-to for the Philadelphia native.
Take a look at the quick highlights of the Kentucky signees in action:
Miss the game? You can watch the complete highlights from Team USA’s win over Team World out in Portland below:
Wagner will return to all-star circuit action at the end of the month at the 2023 Iverson Classic, joined by fellow Kentucky signees Aaron Bradshaw and Robert Dillingham, the latter’s first appearance alongside his future teammates. That event will take place in New Jersey from April 27-29, scheduled at Harwood Arena on the campus of Kean University in Union. The 24K Showcase and All-American Iverson Games (3PT Shootout, Dunk Contest, 1-on-1 and KOBE Game) will take place at Camden High School, home of Wagner and Bradshaw.
The Jordan Brand Classic will not be held in its traditional format this year, sources tell KSR. A roster will be announced to honor the high school standouts, but no game to follow.
Home stretch before Kentucky’s top-ranked recruiting class takes its talents to Lexington, with all five scheduled to arrive in May.
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