DJ Wagner is still the No. 1 player in the 2023 recruiting class and still a huge priority for UK. (USA Basketball Photo)
It doesn’t matter if Justin Edwards ends up being the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class. The big name and prize that Kentucky coach John Calipari and fans want to land is DJ Wagner.
He’s been a phenom for years and considered the best player in his class. He’s also been seen as a lock for Kentucky for a long time but that scenario changed some when Kenny Payne was hired at Louisville since Wagner’s grandfather, Milt, was on a national championship team at Louisville with Payne. Now Payne has also hired Wagner.
But Kentucky has got a verbal commitment from point guard Robert Dillingham, the top-rated point guard in the 2023 class. Now the Cats have Edwards, a versatile wing who might eventually claim the No. 1 overall recruiting spot from Wagner.
Kentucky also has in-state guard Reed Sheppard, who continues to rise in the recruiting rankings.
Wagner would be another great fit on and off the court with that group and don’t forget Wagner’s father, Dajuan, played for Calipari at Memphis.
Kyle Boone of CBS Sports weighed the pros and cons of how Wagner would fit at either Kentucky or Louisville here.
Boone, like most recruiting analysts, is expecting Wagner to pick Kentucky and continue Calipari’s recruiting resurgence. Here’s what Boon wrote:
“Calipari’s roots run deep in the Wagner family, and what he helped do for Dajuan Wagner (getting him to the NBA) and for Milt Wagner (giving him his start in coaching) can’t be understated. Even with Milt Wagner’s presence at Louisville, the gravitational pull to UK — which offers a bigger platform and a chance to play for a Hall of Famer — might be too much for the Cardinals to overcome.”
Kentucky fans not only hope Boone is right but believe he’s right.
8 Responses
Oscar will not be back for 2023; Toppin may be gone as well. Calipari had better be looking for some bigs if he doesn’t want to play with a 6’7" center.
Whodat, do u not follow recruiting ? Udon a Kingsley will be a Ky Wildcat next Monday, and we still have a chance with Bradshaw as well, but Kingsley is a lock !
NOBODY is a lock until they sign, arrive on campus, and play. Beau Allen leaving this close to the start of the 2022 season will still be able to play for someone else. The same could happen if a basketball player doesn’t like the environment upon coming to campus. The G league would still be an option too. I hope you’re right, but we still need more than those 2.
Boone missed the UK connection between Kareem Watkins, DeJaun’s brother, whose a UK walk-on.
And he still picked him to choose UK
Exactly . I sure hope he is right. Hard to imagine a backcourt with edwards, dillingham , Wagner and Sheppard! And I really beginning to think Sheppard may most underrated kid in 2023. I know he top 20 and could continue to climb but if he not a top 10 player not sure what is. He can do it all.Excited for this years team with big O back but already looking forward to seeing next years super team.
The 2023 team doesn’t need another guard, regardless of who he is. We do need some beef and height.
It’s a lot at Kentucky. More exposure , more talent, dj’s brother , lance ware ( old teammate from Camden )