5-star DJ Wagner talks Kentucky, Louisville, and more

DJ Wagner, the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2023 class, is in no rush to make a college decision, or even begin scheduling visits to schools.

“Everything is going good,” Wagner said of his recruitment. “Right now, I’m enjoying the process. Right now, I’m focused on Peach Jam, winning a championship.”

When asked if Wagner will begin visiting schools after Peach Jam — which runs through the 24th — he replied, “Maybe.” I then asked which schools Wagner would like to see and he responded, “I’m not sure yet.”

For the most part, Wagner’s recruitment largely remains a mystery. One that only he, his father, and a few others actually know the exact details of.

The No. 1 ranked combo guard in the class discussed a few of the programs involved in his recruitment.

Louisville: “They are a great school. Coach Kenny Payne is a great coach. It’s a great school, a great university.” 

Kentucky: “Same thing. Coach Cal is a great coach and that’s a great university. They’ve had some great teams come through there.” 

Auburn: “I like the way they play. They get after it. Again, that’s a great program. They play hard every time I watch them. They’re some hard workers, so they play hard. They’re a great program.” 

Wagner says he’s looking for “a winning system. Any system I could fit in and help and try to win.”

DJ Wagner featured in promotion for NOCTA, Drake’s Nike sub-label

It was recently reported that Wagner partnered with Drake in the promotion of the rapper’s Nike sub-label, NOCTA.

NOCTA is in the process of rolling out a basketball collection that includes equipment, apparel, and accessories, and players like Wagner, and serving as essentially brand ambassadors.

“It’s not really an NIL deal. It’s just me promoting it,” Wagner said. “We’re just some hoopers and they wanted to get some stuff out, so we’re some hoopers. They just wanted help to get the product out and we wanted to help with that.” 

It’s difficult to ignore the fact that Wagner will represent the Nike brand in this promotion when you consider the Kentucky Wildcats are also sponsored by Nike. Louisville on the other hand? Adidas.

But, it’s not as if Wagner has signed a multi-year shoe deal with Nike, but this ‘promotion’ with NOCTA is notable, nonetheless.

.@Drake's @Nike sub-label @OfficialNocta is launching a basketball collection that includes equipment, apparel, and accessories 🔱

2023 five-star guard DJ Wagner is featured in the campaign.

(via @ComplexStyle) pic.twitter.com/X7uIDmTvd2

— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) July 20, 2022

Scouting Summary

Wagner has been a big name since middle school. With that reputation also comes lofty expectations. What pops off the page immediately with Wagner is his competitiveness. His motor is always running hot, on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he wants the opposing team’s best player, and he picks them up full court. Offensively, Wagner plays a fearless game. He lacks top-end burst and his average length and size can make things tough for him at the rim, but he keeps coming. Wagner has seen every junk defense a team can throw at him, and he adjusts accordingly. The jump shot can get streaky, but he is a volume scorer. He has better court vision that he is given credit for. Is young for his grade and his competitive fire runs hot. – On3’s Jamie Shaw