DJ Wagner shares college floor with 'blood brother' Kareem Watkins: "That's something people dream of."

DJ Wagner and Kareem Watkins grew up together in Camden, NJ as half brothers, the two sharing the same mother, Syreeta Brittingham. Dajuan Wagner is the former’s father and the latter’s stepfather, a path that led them all to Lexington for Senior Day to not only play in their first college basketball game as teammates, but start.

It came under unique circumstances with Watkins joining the program ahead of the 2020-21 season as a walk-on and Wagner signing as a prized blue-chip recruit this past recruiting cycle, suiting up as a freshman in 2023-24. Three years and seven inches apart, their paths finally aligned for this one special moment inside Rupp Arena, something they’ve waited their whole lives for.

“It meant a lot, knowing that’s my brother and I grew up with him. That’s my blood brother since we were babies, so to be able to step on a college court with him, that’s a blessing in itself,” Wagner said after the win. “That’s something people dream of, even just going to college with your brother.

“I was able to play in a college basketball game with him, and at Kentucky, at that. It’s a blessing in itself and we’re both very grateful.”

Wagner shined with 11 points on 4-8 shooting and 3-5 from three while adding five assists and four rebounds in 24 minutes. As for Watkins, he got on the board with a rebound in his one minute of game action.

That minute, though, was a lifetime in the making.

“That was fun, brought back a lot of memories from being younger and playing on the same team growing up,” Wagner added. “It was fun, brought back a lot of memories for us. … Playing in the games together when we were younger, playing against people. That brought back memories, even playing against each other.”

That’s likely the last time we see Watkins play meaningful minutes as a Wildcat, if you will, but Wagner’s got plenty left in the tank as Kentucky looks to make a run this postseason. This point forward, however, they can now say they shared the floor wearing blue and white as teammates.