DJ Wagner taking time with recruitment, Ian Jackson open to reclass

Kentucky’s top two guard targets regardless of class are competing together in Marbella, Spain with the United States U17 National Team. In 2023, it’s five-star guard DJ Wagner, who the Wildcats are in a battle against Kenny Payne and the Louisville Cardinals to land. And then in 2024, it’s five-star guard Ian Jackson, the first prospect in the rising junior class to receive a scholarship offer from Kentucky when the direct contact period opened in June.

Even with five-star senior Rob Dillingham committed to Kentucky, is there a chance the Wildcats add both Wagner and Jackson in 2023? It’s possible, especially with the latter considering a reclass.

In exclusive interviews with 247Sports’ Travis Branham in Spain, the dynamic guard duo opened up about their respective recruitments, specifically regarding Kentucky’s interest and potential decision timelines.

“Right now I am just trying to take my time and take as much time as I need to make the right decision that I feel is the best decision for me,” Wagner told Branham. “I am just taking it one day at a time.”

Could an announcement come this summer? It’s not out of the question, the five-star guard says.

“Maybe, maybe,” he said, adding that he is planning “a couple of visits” in the near future.

As for Jackson, the five-star junior was much more open about his recruitment and where things stand with the Wildcats, specifically noting he was “infatuated with the school” growing up.

“They have just been talking about how I can come into their program and help win a National Championship so that’s definitely something that I am open to and listening to a lot,” Jackson told Branham. “I was infatuated with the school at a young age. Coach Cal is a great coach and has put a lot of guys in the League.”

Other schools on his radar? In addition to Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, Oregon, Kansas and Duke are the programs pushing the hardest to land him.

The Wildcats, though, aren’t just making a run at Jackson, they’re pushing for a reclassification so he can join the program in 2023-24. It’s a route he says he is “open to,” one that will come down to him feeling his “game is ready to compete at that level.”

“Kentucky told me if I wanted to reclassify up then I would just have to let them know and stuff like that,” he said.

Could the Wildcats land top-three guards in 2023 and 2024? They’re making a push.