DJ Wagner Proud to Share his Story, Help Others as Part of DICK’S ‘Sports Change Lives’ Campaign

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Kentucky freshman DJ Wagner was featured across broadcast and social media platforms Thursday in a continuation of the DICK’S Sporting Goods’ “Sports Change Lives” campaign.

The 30-second spot shows how the New Jersey high school prep phenom’s life was changed through basketball.

It’s part of a campaign showing the personal stories of 10 Nike and Jordan brand athletes who have had their lives changed with basketball. The first ads aired June 6 featuring WNBA guard Sabrina Ionescu, retired NBA player Carmelo Anthony, and Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout.

Other athletes being featured include U.S. women’s national team soccer star Alex Morgan, NFL receiver Davante Adams and NFL running back Najee Harris. Wagner is the youngest athlete to be featured.

“It felt great to share my own story of how sports changed my life just because I know how important it is to me and how important sports are to me,” Wagner said in the release from DICK’S. “I hope that people will be very happy and will appreciate the campaign just because I know how grateful I am for it and how much they can benefit from it.

“I hope people can take away from this campaign that they can do it and that it is always good to give back.”

Each athlete participating in the campaign will nominate a youth sports organization to receive a $75,000 “75for75” Sports Matter Grant to give more young athletes greater access to playing opportunities.

“When I found out about the grant I just started smiling and was very happy because I felt very blessed to even be able to be a part of the ’75for75’ grant,” Wagner said in the release. “My grant will be going to the Camden High School athletic department and they will use it to help them in their seasons and help them with things like equipment or whatever else they need for the season.”

Wagner said he understood the importance of what a grant like this can do to help communities provide better sports opportunities for youth.

Wagner will make his unofficial Kentucky debut next month when the Cats play four exhibition games in July. He said he’s looking forward to playing in the college “atmosphere” and also playing in front of his family.

“I think my fast paced and transition game will translate into college because the college game is very up pace and a fast game,” Wagner said.