While Justin Edwards is the highest-rated recruit joining the Cats next season, slightly edging DJ Wagner, the latter is arguably the biggest name entering college basketball next season. ", Kentucky basketball recruiting:These players have committed to the Wildcats' 2023 class. The Cats have the No. There are not two better big-man coaches in college basketball and, under their tutelage, Bradshaw could be the top NBA draft pick in 2024. In the updated 247 Sports rankings, Booker jumped from no. He's been a mentor in my life and he's helped develop me into the player and person that I am. Kentucky is the current favorite and Louisville basketball has ground to make up but, with Kenny Payne and Danny Manning, Louisville is a serious contender. And that meant so much to me. With top overall prospect GG Jackson reclassifying from the 2023 to 2022 recruiting class, all eyes now turn to DJ Wagner -- who was quickly elevated to the No. The Camden High School star was one of three rising seniors to sign name, image and likeness deals with the Oregon-based company, joining LeBron James's son, Bronny, and coveted women's hoops prospect JuJu Watkins. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023 in the 247Sports rankings -- and his dramatic Bluegrass State recruiting battle. He always said what's best for me. Wagner was the subject of an intense recruiting battle between in-state rivals Kentucky and Louisville, with strong familial ties to both programs. On Saturday night, when Wagner faced Bronny James and Strive for Greatness, there were a number of former players in attendance, including Darrell Griffith, Robbie Valentine, Herbert Crook, Wiley Brown, Kevin Walls, Jerry Eaves, Tick Rogers, Beau Zach Smith, Will Olliges, Russ Smith, Sydney Curry, El Ellis, and Mike James. That's why it took so long," Wagner told ESPN. He also tends to be stuck in first ear and needs to learn when to slow down and pick his spots. 3:01 pm ET. Caleb has received an offer from @MsideFootball. "I'm real comfortable with my decision. I'm a college basketball fan and I love watching March Madness.. The biggest perceived threat has been the pros, but with NIL now in place, Kentucky appears to be in great shape in this recruitment. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Let's compare how Wagner fits at both Kentucky and Louisville, his two most likely destinations. With Wagner's commitment, Kentucky leapsDuke for the No. Lived In Provo UT, Lincoln CA, Othello WA, Roseville CA . As for other Kentucky targets in the 2023 class, Dajuan Wagner Jr. remains the No. Camden (N.J.) High School senior center and 2023 UK men's basketball signee Aaron Bradshaw (2) warms up before facing Combine Academy (N.C.) during a game at . However, when an athletes recruitment blows up like Bookers has, no school is a true favorite Louisville fans have seen that movie. Also trending: Louisville basketball needs guards but whos available? 240. All other trademarks mentioned herein . He's decisive once he gets into the paint, knowing when to pull-up, jump-stop and use his floater or kick out to an open teammate for a shot. Chris Murphy. Here are more takeaway's from Wagner's announcement. 6-5 / One that will live and grow with more information and new features to keep up with the ever changing basketball landscape. When Wagner arrives in Lexington on Friday, it will be at least the third time he's visited UK. It's crazy the history of guards they have had over there. He is, outside of Johnson, the only player in the 2023 class to hold a Louisville offer (from Kenny Payne). We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. He lacks great positional size and is a good, albeit not great, overall athlete. 1 player in the class of 2023, drops Bronny James before connecting on his jump shot. 6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. He was showing off his whole arsenal. He has also already taken two visits to Temple and Villanova. 185, PG / Regardless, Xavier Booker is the hottest name in prep basketball. No. 6-3 / 6-10 / Milt Wagner played at Louisville with its current coach. I watched Wagner and his team, the New Jersey Scholars, play five times over the weekend and he did not disappoint. Forward to Family & Friends; Share a Memory; Add a Photo; Print; Contact Support; Upgrade; Death Certificates; Share This Obituary. Even with Milt Wagner's presence at Louisville, the gravitational pull to UK -- which offers a bigger platform and a chance to play for a Hall of Famer -- might be too much for the Cardinals to overcome. Calipari coached Wagner's father, Dajuan, at Memphis, and first-year Louisville coach Kenny Payne played with Wagner's grandfather, Milt, on Louisville's 1986 national championship team. Wagner is both quick and strong. 200, PF / Wagner joins a Kentucky class that now includes four of the top eight prospects in the 2023 class, with Justin Edwards (No. The Panthers are loaded up to repeat with All-South Jersey First Team selections Wagner, Bradshaw and Cian Medley (St. Louis recruit) back, as well as Third Team honorees Dasear Haskins and Overbrook transfer Jaylan Hornsby, plus Cornelius Robinson (Albany) and several others high-quality players. "If you can play free-flowing, unpredictable basketball, and have some principles to it, you're going to keep the defense off-balance," Payne said earlier this year. 6-7 / 6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories, at Kim takes 4-shot lead at weather-delayed John Deere Classic. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 6-5 / Milt Wagner also went on to serve as an assistant on the staff at UTEP under Tony Barbee from 2006 through 2010 and followed Barbee to Auburn, where they coached from 2010 through 2014. 12:09 pm ET, GG Jackson reclassifying from the 2023 to 2022 recruiting class, almost certainly as a way to try and lure DJ Wagner to Louisville, Iowa St. dismisses G Grill, adding to late-season woes, Illinois' Mayer says he got sick from too many Monsters, Alabama vs. Auburn odds, picks, prediction, bets, Xavier vs. Providence odds, picks, prediction, bets, Charleston Southern vs. High Point odds, picks, bets, Tennessee's Zakai Ziegler to miss season with ACL tear, Best fit for No. He added that reading and reacting will be key to success within the system and that defense will be a focal point. He said he would be with me until the wheels fall off the car either way. Sahvir Wheeler has minor surgery and will miss Senior Night, 2 Kentucky Wildcats among top 100 NBA Draft prospects for 2022, Check out the full Rivals rankings update here, Kentucky basketball recruiting in the 2023 class, Kentucky has 4 signees named to the Iverson Classic roster, UK target DJ Wagner still plans to attend college, Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt game thread and pregame reading, Bleav in Kentucky talks basketball Cats, Will Levis at the NFL Combine, and more, Kentucky Hockey makes National Tournament; needs fan support to help make the trip, Wednesday Headlines: Senior Night and Vanderbilt Gameday Edition. 180, SF / It was a Louisville basketball reunion at most the Scholars games. Sign me up for this projected path today! 4), point guard Robert Dillingham (No. 1-ranked high school senior, announced his commitment to Kentucky men's basketball Monday, choosing the Wildcats over Louisville. I want to be fast. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This will be Paynes first true recruiting class and he, better than most, understands that a major splash is needed. That, seemingly, would make his fit with the program go seamlessly, especially given his familiarity and comfort level with the school that dates back far longer than Kentucky. 26-ranked prospect Reed Sheppard. 2 prospect in the class by 247Sports and is No. And while Wagner has not revealed a timeline for his decision publicly, rumors have for weeks swirled that one could come around Peach Jam -- which just concluded -- or sometime in the lead-up to the 2022-23 season. "The Adidas agreement and our corresponding university policy require our student athletes to wear Adidas gear during official team activities. While those names may spearhead how the future looks, Wagner is going to be impactful for the high-profile names that follow him. Heck, I even found myself standing next to Chane Behanen behind the Scholars bench. Refine Your Search Results. Aaron Bradshaw, DJ Wagners teammate with the Scholars and at Camden high school, is a consensus five-star center in the 2023 class. More:Finally! 6-7 / 215, PG / All Filters. Bookers recruitment has blown up this summer based on his performances for George Hill All Indy on the NY2LA Circuit. 200, PF / With Wagner's father being a former first round draft pick, he has been a major part in DJs game and recruitment. That said, Wagner is as good as advertised and cemented himself, at least in my mind, as the best player in the 2023 class. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. 4 overall player in the national senior class. 176, PF / 26 in the rankings. 5-10 / 6-4 / Wagner Football Travels To Montana State On Saturday. 185, PF / He was consistently knocked off his spot and struggled to adjust. Bradshaw ran the floor, finished at the rim, and blocked shots. #1 player in the country, DJ Wagner with the FILTHY MOVE & Finish in transition #EYBLSession3 pic.twitter.com/1YtE1veOch. Hard Commits (2) Pos Ht / Wt Rating Status. The list Wagner appeared on featured many that wont actually take to the court, such as Klutch Sports agent Rich Paul and NCAA President Charlie Baker. With over 2,000 career points in high school, Wagner stands 6-foot-4 and should be among the most dynamic guards in the nation this upcoming season. DJ Wagner . 5) and Robert Dillingham (No. 6-10 / Wagner, a 5-star recruit and the consensus number 1 ranked player in the 2023 class, is a 6' 3" combo guard who does it all. The MVP of the game though was Aaron Bradshaw. Chances are Wagner only stays in college one season as hes primed to be among the top picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. When the game slows down in the halfcourt, Wagner's improvement from the perimeter has been an asset. 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