DJ Wagner donates $75,000 to Camden High as part of DICK'S ad campaign

DJ Wagner is giving back to the community that helped spawn his basketball career.

As part of DICK’S Sporting Goods’ newest “Sports Change Lives” campaign, Wagner is one of 10 Nike/Jordan brand athletes that have been chosen to be a part of the company’s 75for75 Sports Matter Grant. As part of this campaign, the Kentucky men’s basketball freshman was allowed to nominate a youth sports organization to receive a $75,000 grant, which he gifted to the Camden (NJ) High athletic department, the same high school he attended before heading off to UK.

“When I found out about the grant, I just started smiling and I was very happy because I felt very blessed to even be able to be a part of the 75 for 75 grant,” Wagner said, according to a press release. “My grant will be going to the Camden High athletic department, and they will use it to help them in their seasons and help them with things like equipment or whatever else they need for the season.”

Wagner’s grant was accompanied by a commercial spot with DICK’s, which was released on Thursday and will be spread across television broadcasts and social media. The $75,000 grant came from the sporting goods company, so this is not technically considered a NIL deal for the five-star freshman.

“I hope that people will be very happy and will appreciate the campaign just because I know how grateful I am for it and how much they can benefit from it,” Wagner added. “I hope people can take away from this campaign that they can do and that it is always good to give back.”

The Wagner family has been linked to Camden High for multiple generations now. His grandfather Milt played there as did his father Dajuan, who both went on to be stars at the college level and even made it to the NBA. DJ was next in line to suit up for Camden, finishing his high school career with just over 2,000 points and one of the country’s top recruits.

The other nine athletes involved in this campaign are some of the world’s biggest sports stars: A’Ja Wilson (WNBA), Alex Morgan (USWNT), Athing Mu (track & field Olympian), Carmelo Anthony (NBA), Davante Adams, (NFL), Mike Trout (MLB), Najee Harris (NFL), Sabrina Ionescu (WNBA), and Tatyana McFadden (17-time Paralympic medalist). Wagner is the youngest of the bunch.

Members of the Big Blue Nation can even access exclusive behind-the-scenes photoshoot footage with Wagner by connecting their DICK’S Sporting Goods Scorecard and Nike Membership accounts.

The timing of this ad couldn’t have been more perfect, either. Also on Thursday, Wagner posted pictures on his Instagram story of him in his cap and gown after officially graduating from Camden High.

Wagner has already moved into his new home in Lexington at the Wildcat Coal Lodge as he begins preparation for his freshman season at Kentucky. The 6-foot-3 guard enters college as the No. 7 overall prospect from the class of 2023 according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was tabbed the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP earlier this year and expects to take on a significant role in the Wildcats’ backcourt for the upcoming 2023-24 season.