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Camden basketball star DJ Wagner picks Kentucky

Wagner, a 6-foot-2 guard, is the nation’s No. 1 recruit, according to ESPN.

D.J. Wagner is ranked as the nation's No. 1 recruit by ESPN.
D.J. Wagner is ranked as the nation's No. 1 recruit by ESPN.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
    by Aaron Carter
    Updated 
    Published 

Camden High School senior basketball standout DJ Wagner chose Kentucky on Monday, headlining one of the best recruiting classes in the country. Wagner told ESPN’s national recruiting director Paul Biancardi of his decision, which was then posted on social media.

Wagner, a 6-foot-2 guard, is the nation’s No. 1 recruit, according to rankings by ESPN. Last week, the No. 2 prospect, Imhotep senior forward Justin Edwards, signed with John Calipari’s Kentucky team, which the 6-7 lefty committed to in July.

“I have known D.J. his entire life and I’ve always wanted to coach him,” Calipari said in a press release. “Above all he is a competitor. He attacks the offensive end and is a versatile scorer, but he is equally as tough on defense…”

» READ MORE: Imhotep and Camden set a date for their highly anticipated boys’ basketball showdown

Camden’s Aaron Bradshaw, a 7-foot center, committed to the Wildcats in October and is No. 5 on ESPN’s list. Robert Dillingham, a 6-2 guard from Atlanta, committed in June and is No. 8 on the list. Local Kentucky product Reed Sheppard, No. 26 according to ESPN, is a 6-3 wing who committed last year. In the statement to the press, Kentucky’s athletic department said all five players have officially signed national letters of intent.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this class,” Calipari said in the press release. “We have five talented and dynamic players who have the drive and commitment it takes to succeed at Kentucky. They all know this isn’t for everyone, and they have welcomed that challenge and want to be pushed not only by our coaching staff, but by other really good players every day. Their potential to be great is there, now it is up to them to embrace this stage and come in every day ready to work…”

Wagner, the son of former NBA player Dajuan Wagner, was also considering the University of Louisville, according to multiple reports.

» READ MORE: Camden High’s D.J. Wagner, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, signs NIL deal with Nike

Wagner’s grandfather, Milt, who starred at Louisville and later played in the NBA, was hired by the Cardinals as director of player development in May.

Kentucky also has familial and familiar ties to Wagner.

Junior guard Kareem Watkins, who is already on Kentucky’s roster, is also the stepson of Dajuan Wagner, who played for Calipari at the University of Memphis during the 2001-02 season. Watkins played his senior season at Kingsway Regional High School in South Jersey. He joined Kentucky’s team as a walk-on during the 2020-21 season.

Lance Ware, another Camden High graduate, is a junior forward for the Wildcats.

According to 247 Sports, Duke has the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation. Sean Stewart (Montverde Academy, Florida), Caleb Foster (Notre Dame High, California), Jared McCain (Centennial High, California), TJ Power (Worcester Academy, Massachusetts), and Mackenzie Mgbako (Roselle Catholic High, New Jersey), are the Blue Devils’ 5-star recruits. Wagner, Edwards, Dillingham, and Bradshaw are also considered 5-star recruits, according to multiple rankings.