Trio of Kentucky signees named 2023 Naismith Boys Player of the Year Semifinalists

Three players in Kentucky’s top-rated recruiting class for 2023 have been named semifinalists for Naismith Trophy High School Boys Player of the Year.

Aaron Bradshaw, Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner, all five-star recruits ranked inside the top six, were among the ten semifinalists named Thursday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. They’re set to join Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard in Lexington this summer.

• Xavier Booker (2023, Michigan)
• Cameron Boozer (2025)
• Aaron Bradshaw (2023, Kentucky)
• Matas Buzelis (2023, G-League Ignite)
• Isaiah Collier (2023, USC)
• Justin Edwards (2023, Kentucky)
• Cooper Flagg (2025)
• Dylan Harper (2024)
• Ron Holland (2023, Texas)
• D.J. Wagner (2023, Kentucky)

All three signees were previously listed on the Naismith Midseason Team, announced back on Jan. 12.

Bradshaw and Wagner are five-star prospects suiting up for Camden High School. Bradshaw is averaging 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game as a senior, while Wagner is generating 21.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Edwards is also a five-star prospect and plays for Philadelphia Imhotep Institute Charter High School, ranked among the top 10 programs in the nation. Edwards is the first player from the Philadelphia public league since 1993 to be named a McDonald’s All American.

Ron Mercer is the lone former Wildcat to win the high school honor after a stellar senior season with Oak Hill Academy in 1995.

Bradshaw is ranked No. 2 overall in the updated On3 Consensus.

“The most impactful trait we can have on the defensive end is the ability to block shots, and Aaron is elite at that,” Calipari said of Bradshaw’s game at the time of his signing. “He also has all of the tools that a versatile big in today’s game needs. Aaron’s motor continues to improve, he has great size and mobility. As a 7-footer, he can change the game on both ends of the court. He has a high ceiling and has only begun to scratch the surface of the kind of player he can be.”

Wagner comes in at No. 5 overall and No. 1 among combo guards in the On3 Consensus.

“I have known D.J. his entire life and I’ve always wanted to coach him,” Calipari said upon Wagner’s signing. “Above all he is a competitor. He attacks the offensive end and is a versatile scorer, but he is equally as tough on defense. I love the spirit he’ll bring to practice every day, and I love that he wanted to be at Kentucky. He knows that to get the best of himself, he needs to be surrounded by other talented players who are going to match his competitive energy.”

Edwards is ranked No. 6 overall and No. 3 among small forwards in the On3 Consensus.

“Justin has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways,” Calipari said in the fall. “He has terrific size, can play multiple positions and can score the ball at all three levels. I really like how active he is defensively and his desire to rebound every ball. He already has a great understanding that he can positively impact winning without scoring. That isn’t something you can teach, and I know Justin is going to demand the same of his teammates.”

Three of the top six recruits in all of high school basketball, regardless of class. Pretty impressive.

(UK Athletics)