What to expect from DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw in Frankfort

By now, you’ve probably seen the highlights and read the stats, know the accolades. You know DJ Wagner is an electric scorer and playmaker while Aaron Bradshaw is a rim-running specialist capable of stepping outside and knocking down the occasional jumper. They’re both consensus five-star, top-five talents in the class of 2023 for a reason.

Friday night, though, Kentucky fans have the opportunity to get their first real glimpse at what’s to come with the future Wildcats, as the duo’s Camden Panthers are set to take on Combine Academy (NC) in Frankfort. The matchup is part of The Kentucky Preview, a three-game slate that opens with back-to-back matchups of Franklin County vs. Frankfort girls (5 p.m. ET) and boys (6:30 p.m. ET), followed by Camden vs. Combine at 8 p.m. ET.

The event is open to the public, with tickets available at the door for $20 apiece. It’s a chance to see Wagner and Bradshaw play right down the road before they arrive on campus later this summer.

What can fans expect from the five-star signees when they arrive at the William Exum Center in Frankfort this evening?

DJ Wagner

The 6-foot-3, 165-pound combo guard is a ferocious competitor with a knack for scoring, using his quick first step to set up smooth and crafty finishing opportunities around the basket while also creating shots for himself in the mid-range and from three. A dynamic threat in transition, he lives in attack mode and looks to get downhill for drives and scores while also finding open teammates on the perimeter when defenders collapse. Fundamentally sound with a high basketball IQ, he uses his body extremely well and understands leverage and spacing to create mismatches. He’s comfortable creating for himself or coming off high ball screens for catch-and-shoot looks — ball-dominant at heart, but can also play off the ball.

Decision-making and shot selection will need to improve at the next level, as he tends to force the issue at times and shoot himself out of cold streaks on occasion. That’s a product of being his team’s go-to scoring and playmaking option both in high school and on the travel circuit, heavily relied on to win games. Weight will be lifted off his shoulders playing alongside other elite guards at Kentucky who are also comfortable creating shots for themselves and carrying the scoring load when necessary. That will allow Wagner to be more selective with his shots and play a more efficient brand of basketball, bringing out his best traits as an elite scorer and winner.

At his best, he’s a dog with truly elite finishing abilities around the basket, capable of taking games over by himself. His shot gets streaky and tunnel vision creeps in from time to time, but his floor is very high at the collegiate level.

Aaron Bradshaw

The 7-foot-1 center’s explosion was one of the stories of the summer, transitioning from rim-running big with nice upside as a defender — a top-30 prospect in his class — to a very real contender for No. 1 overall. Why? An offensive jump as a face-up scorer, bringing new tools to the table you rarely see at his size.

As a junior, he was a bit clunky with foot speed and mobility concerns, relying solely on his physical tools to make an impact. He had the length and athleticism to catch lobs and finish with strength inside while also attacking the glass, making him a double-double threat. Beyond that, though, he was severely limited.

Then the fluidity came, allowing him to experiment a bit with his game. Rather than hot-potatoing the ball out of his hands on rebounds, he grew to be comfortable taking off with it and pushing things up ahead. Then came some risks with coast-to-coast attempts resulting in varying levels of success, along with some catch-and-shoot looks in the mid-range. The turnovers leveled out and the touch came along, creating a brand new player that built on what worked for him before while adding face-up production. Now, there’s a clear comfort in lifting for jumpers and taking defenders off the dribble for finishes around the rim. Turnaround looks and fadeaways from the mid-range, along with the occasional catch-and-shoot 3-pointer are now very much a part of his deep bag of tricks.

Defensively, he’s an instinctive shot blocker and alterer, but needs to be more controlled with his swats — he flails at times, leading to unnecessary fouls. Realizing his length goes a long way as a straight-up defender will be a minor tweak, but a major plus. His motor isn’t always humming at peak performance, either, something he admits he’s working to improve. Confidence was a previous concern, but as his game has expanded, he’s quickly come around to the idea that there aren’t many 7-footers who can do what he does on both ends of the floor. That’s paved the path for a clear jump to the top of the recruiting rankings — he’s listed at No. 1 overall in the updated 2023 On3 player rankings.

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The future Wildcat duo will put their talents on full display tonight in Frankfort, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

We’ll see you there, BBN.