The light is turning on for Kentucky PG DJ Wagner

Through 15 years of John Calipari basketball, Kentucky fans have learned about the process of developing talented, young point guards.

There’s a sliding scale, varying the time it takes for each facilitator to become comfortable in the collegiate ranks. Some figure it out as soon as they step onto the court. It usually takes until conference play for most to flip the switch, but almost every player eventually gets to where John Calipari needs them to lead his team.

Even though Coach Cal won’t say it out loud, it appears that DJ Wagner has figured out how this college basketball thing works.

Following Kentucky’s victory over Georgia, the Kentucky head coach was asked about his starting point guard. Calipari stated Wagner’s statistics, the best of his young career, said he’s happy DJ’s old ankle sprain is improving, then changed the subject. It’s clear he believes Wagner has only scratched the surface of his potential. If that’s the case…

A First for D.J. Wagner

While most of the Big Blue Nation’s attention was focused on Zvonimir Ivisic, Wagner was putting together the best game of his career. He had 18 points and a season-high 10 assists to complete his first career double-double.

There’s a pretty high variance when it comes to production for this Kentucky basketball team. One night Rob will go crazy. The next you won’t hear from Dillingham, but Reed Sheppard steals the show. Antonio Reeves has been a steadying hand for this Kentucky basketball team. You may not have noticed it, but DJ Wagner is doing the same.

Over the last six games, Reeves is averaging 21.6 points per game. During that same 6-game stretch, Wagner is scoring 14.5 points per game while shooting 55.6% from the field and 42.1% from behind the three-point line. Oh, he’s also taking care of the ball too, dishing out 4.2 assists and only 1.8 turnovers a game.

Now healthier, Wagner has put in the extra work to play confidently whenever he steps onto the court. It’s almost as though the switch has turned on for the talented point guard.

“I’m staying in the gym as much as possible,” Wagner said Saturday night. “No matter if you play good or play bad, staying in the gym and always having faith in yourself. Having faith, especially seeing my coaches and teammates helping me a lot, keeping me confident and telling me to keep going, no matter what. I feel like that’s the most important thing, no matter if you’re going good or bad, you just gotta stay in the gym.”

Kentucky has a confident point guard who can maneuver through traffic and finish with physicality at the rim. Things are clicking and he’s just getting rolling. These Cats are dangerous.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.