D. J. Wagner facts for kids

Dajuan Marquette "D. J." Wagner Jr. (born May 4, 2005) is a talented American college basketball player. He currently plays for the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Before that, he played for the Kentucky Wildcats. D. J. comes from a family of basketball stars. His dad, Dajuan Wagner, was a professional player, and his grandpa, Milt Wagner, also played professionally. D. J. was considered one of the best young players in the 2023 class.

High School Basketball Journey

D. J. Wagner started his high school career at Camden High School. Even before his first year, he was invited to special camps with USA Basketball. This showed he was a top player from a young age.

In his very first game on December 20, 2019, many fans came to watch him play. He scored 15 points, showing his skill right away.

His team, coached by former NBA player Rick Brunson, won 25 games in a row! Their season ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, Camden High was named the New Jersey Boys Basketball Team of the Year.

As a freshman, D. J. scored about 18.5 points per game. He was even named a Freshman All-American by MaxPreps. On January 24, 2023, he made history. He became the first player whose dad and grandpa were also McDonald's All-Americans.

In his junior year, he averaged 19.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.1 steals. He helped Camden win the NJSIAA Group 2 state championship. As a senior, he continued to shine, averaging 22.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. His team finished with an impressive 23–2 record.

Becoming a Top Recruit

D. J. Wagner was a highly sought-after player by colleges. Experts called him a "five-star recruit," meaning he was one of the very best players in his class. For two years, he was ranked as the number one player for 2023. Later, his ranking shifted slightly, but he remained a top prospect.

On November 14, 2022, D. J. decided where he would play college basketball. He chose to join the Kentucky team.

College Basketball Career

Freshman Year at Kentucky (2023–24)

D. J. had a great first year playing for Kentucky. He was chosen for the All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team. This award goes to the best first-year players in the SEC. He also won the SEC Freshman of the Week award three times!

He started in 28 of the 29 games he played. On average, he scored 9.9 points, gave out 3.3 assists, and grabbed 1.9 rebounds per game. He scored 10 or more points in 13 different games. In one game against Georgia, he achieved a "double-double" by getting 18 points and 10 assists. He also scored a career-high 28 points in a game against Marshall.

Sophomore Year at Arkansas (2024–25)

After his freshman season, D. J. decided to transfer to a new team. On May 27, 2024, he announced he would be joining the Arkansas Razorbacks. He will play for his former coach, John Calipari, who also moved to Arkansas.

Career Statistics

College

Family Basketball Legacy

D. J. Wagner's family has a strong connection to basketball. His dad, Dajuan Wagner, was the 6th player picked in the 2002 NBA draft. His grandpa, Milt Wagner, was also drafted into the NBA in 1986. D. J. hopes to become the first-ever third-generation NBA player. This means he would be the third person in his family, in a row, to play in the NBA.