Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Report: Kentucky's D.J. Wagner Will Enter Transfer Portal After John Calipari's Exit

Tyler Conway

Kentucky guard DJ Wagner is entering the transfer portal, becoming the latest high-profile player to leave Kentucky after coach John Calipari's exit.

Travis Branham of 247Sports reported Wagner will be "completely open" as he explores his options.

A 2023 McDonald's All-American, Wagner was a 5-star recruit and the top combo guard in the nation when he arrived at Kentucky last year. He had an inconsistent freshman season under Calipari, averaging 9.9 points and 3.3 assists per game.

Kentucky has already lost guard Rob Dillingham and forward Justin Edwards to the NBA draft, and guard Reed Sheppard is expected to follow. Wagner joins guard Adou Thiero and centers Aaron Bradshaw and Zvonimir Ivišić in the transfer portal.

High-profile recruits Boogie Fland, Jayden Quaintance, Karter Knox and Somto Cyril have also re-opened their commitment in wake of Calipari leaving Kentucky for Arkansas. The Wildcats quickly hired BYU's Mark Pope as Calipari's replacement, but it's clear he'll have to scramble in order to field a competitive roster.

Calipari will likely bring some of the transfer portal and previously recruited players along with him to Arkansas. The Razorbacks' roster is a blank slate at this point, with only one player on their 2024-25 team.

Wagner, the son of former NBA guard Dajuan Wagner, had offers from nearly every major program in the country coming out of high school and won't lack for suitors again in the transfer portal. While his disappointing freshman season at Kentucky harmed his draft stock, it would not be a surprise to see Wagner join Calipari in a more starring role at Arkansas.

   

Read 0 Comments

Download the app for comments Get the B/R app to join the conversation

Install the App
×
Bleacher Report
(120K+)