DJ Wagner, Rob Dillingham to participate in 2023 Nike Skills Academy

DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham will once again represent the Kentucky Wildcats on the national stage, this time against some of the other top talent college basketball has to offer. The pair of UK freshmen are set to take part in the 2023 Nike Skills Academy in Portland, Oregon from Aug. 7-12.

It’s an opportunity to train alongside and learn from current and former NBA standouts while also competing against some of the best college players in the nation. Wagner and Dillingham are two of just 16 total invites with Kentucky one of three schools with multiple players in attendance. They’re also just two of seven total freshmen invited to compete.

Take a look at the complete college roster:

The Academy College Men

• Trey Alexander (Creighton)
• Reece Beekman (Virginia)
• Rob Dillingham (Kentucky)
• Kwame Evans (Oregon)
• Caleb Foster (Duke)
• Riley Kugel (Florida)
• Patrick McCaffery (Iowa)
• Jared McCain (Duke)
• Baba Miller (Florida State)
• Judah Mintz (Syracuse)
• Mark Mitchell (Duke)
• Grant Nelson (Alabama)
• Jackson Shelstad (Oregon)
• DJ Wagner (Kentucky)
• Kel’el Ware (Indiana)
• Cody Williams (Colorado)

But this won’t just be college and pro athletes competing. Some of the nation’s top high school talent will also be in attendance, including several Kentucky basketball targets for 2024 and beyond.

Five-star guards Tre Johnson and Boogie Fland and five-star forwards Karter Knox and Jayden Quaintance make up the rising seniors with serious Kentucky interest. AJ Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes, two of the nation’s best in 2026, are also top priorities for the Wildcats among rising sophomores.

Take a look at the complete high school roster:

The Academy High School Boys

• Jalil Bethea (2024)
• Carter Bryant (2024)
• AJ Dybantsa (2026)*
• Isaiah Evans (2024)
• Cooper Flagg (2025)
• Boogie Fland (2024) *
• Donavan Freeman (2024)
• Dylan Harper (2024)
• Tre Johnson (2024)*
• Morez Johnson (2024)
• Karter Knox (2024)*
• Liam McNeeley (2024)
• Drake Powell (2024)
• Jayden Quaintance (2024)*
• Derrion Reid (2024)
• Jase Richardson (2024)
• Aiden Sherrell (2024)
• Tyran Stokes (2026)*

*Denotes Kentucky basketball target.

Nike Skills Academy is back‼️ pic.twitter.com/VEdtTwfyHl

— EliteYouthBasketball (@NikeEYB) August 8, 2023

Campers will compete in scrimmages, drills, workouts, film sessions and a combine experience in the prestigious skills development camp. NBA personnel are allowed to attend, two representatives from each team per session.

Undoubtedly a big opportunity for Kentucky’s star backcourt duo as the Wildcats prepare for the 2023-24 season.