DJ Wagner is being watched for the Bob Cousy Award

College basketball’s 2023-24 season is right around the corner, and that means the preseason conversations, projections, and accolades are ramping up around the country. In Springfield, Massachusetts, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is eyeing the early contenders for its five individual player performance awards. Take, for instance, the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the best point guard in college basketball. Today, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame identified 20 of the top point guards nationwide and named them preseason candidates for the Bob Cousy.

Only a freshman, Kentucky’s DJ Wagner made the list, as did six other point guards on Kentucky‘s schedule.

Isaiah Stevens	Colorado State
Steven Ashworth	Creighton
Tyrese Proctor	Duke
Ryan Nembhard	Gonzaga
Jamal Shead	Houston
Dajuan Harris Jr.	Kansas
DJ Wagner	Kentucky
Tyler Kolek	Marquette
Jahmir Young	Maryland
Jahvon Quinerly	Memphis
Nijel Pack	Miami (Fla.)
RJ Davis	North Carolina
Boo Buie	Northwestern
Ace Baldwin Jr.	Penn State
Judah Mintz	Syracuse
Zakai Zeigler	Tennessee
Max Abmas	Texas
Wade Taylor IV	Texas A&M
Tristen Newton	UConn
Isaiah Collier	USC

Calipari says DJ is about winning

At this past weekend’s Blue-White Game, the Big Blue Nation got a taste of Wagner’s competitive nature. Wagner was matched up against Rob Dillingham, and at times Wagner tried to carry his team by taking over in the intrasquad scrimmage.

“Knowing DJ like I do, he was trying to get baskets because no one could make a basket,” Calipari explained in his post-scrimmage comments. “So, he’s just trying to get them to win because that’s who he is and that’s what he’s about.”

Calipari also named Wagner and Dillingham as two guys who “are in the gym all the time.”

Wagner scored 25 points in the Blue-White Game on 9-of-20 shooting from the field. Dillingham led all players with 40.

They’ll play together against Georgetown College this coming Friday night in Kentucky’s first of two preseason exhibition games. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Rupp Arena.