Why DJ Wagner, college basketball’s No. 1 recruit in high school class of 2023, picked Kentucky over Louisville

DJ Wagner — the No. 1 prospect in the high school class of 2023 — has made a decision.

Wagner has committed to the University of Kentucky, joining Big Blue Nation for the 2023-24 season.

Breaking: DJ Wagner tells @PaulBiancardi he has committed to the University of Kentucky.

Wagner is the No. 1 overall prospect in the ESPN 100 for the class of 2023. @SportsCenterNEXT pic.twitter.com/os4D7J8DUB

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 14, 2022

The entire nation was awaiting Wagner’s decision, as the son of former NBA player and high school superstar, Dajuan Wagner, had narrowed down his long list of scholarship offers to Kentucky and Louisville.

With plenty of ties to both rival schools, there was no shortage of rumors and assumptions as to where Wagner would land for his freshman season in 2023-24.

Why did he pick Kentucky over Louisville? The Sporting News takes a look at a few potential reasons below.

MORE: DJ Wagner’s got next: Meet the third-generation NBA prospect set to make history

Why DJ Wagner picked Kentucky over Louisville

Kentucky’s loaded recruiting class

For starters, Wagner’s commitment to Kentucky gives Big Blue Nation the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the country, according to 24/7 Sports.

Wagner will join Kentucky’s loaded 2023 recruiting class that already has commitments from five-star players like small forward Justin Edwards (No. 2 ranked player in 2023), point guard Robert Dillingham (No. 9) and his Camden High School teammate, center Aaron Bradshaw (No. 6). The Wildcats have also landed four-star recruit Reed Sheppard (No. 29), rounding out the nation’s top crop of incoming freshmen in 2023-24.

Louisville has received commitments from four-star prospects like small forwards Kaleb Glenn (No. 65) and Curtis Williams Jr. (No. 68), but Kentucky offers a better current roster of players who could return next season and a better incoming freshmen class.

Ties with head coach John Calipari

Wagner’s family has a close relationship with coach Calipari, as his father, Dajuan, played under Calipari at Memphis during his lone college season back in 2001-02.

But there was some speculation that Wagner could be headed to Louisville after new head coach Kenny Payne hired his grandfather, Milt, as the Cardinals’ director of player development and alumni relations. Milt was a superstar at Louisville back in the early 1980s, helping lead the Cardinals to a national title in 1986. Payne was also a long-time assistant and associate head coach under Calipari at Kentucky, but the connection between Payne and DJ’s grandfather was not enough to land the nation’s top recruit.

Nike NIL deal

Another significant tip toward Wagner’s recruiting decision was the NIL deal he signed with Nike, considering Kentucky is sponsored by the Swoosh and Louisville is sponsored by Adidas.

Camden star guard DJ Wagner on signing with Nike:

“I’ve seen the impact this game — and the people who play it — can have on the community, and I’m looking forward to taking it to the next level with Nike in Camden and beyond.” pic.twitter.com/6uQVkS3aeB

— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) October 10, 2022

It would have been hard to believe that Wagner would sign an NIL deal with Nike and then not attend a Nike school, providing some potential insight into his decision before it became official.

DJ Wagner scouting report

Wagner is a three-level scorer who does the majority of his damage attacking off the dribble, capable of turning a corner to get downhill and absorb contact to finish at the rim or stop on a dime and pull up for a jumper.

His pace is uncanny for his age, always playing within his game with great body control. Opponents can’t speed him up or slow him down as he changes gears and direction at will to get past his matchup and take it into the teeth of a defense or utilize other advanced shot creation moves to create space and get to a stepback jumper.

Wagner is a quick and shifty combo guard with a bulldog mentality, sleight handle and a competitive attitude.

Kentucky Basketball 2023 recruiting class

24/7 Sports’ Travis Branham pointed out that this is coach Calipari’s eighth (!) No. 1 recruiting class during his tenure at Kentucky.

Wagner is Kentucky’s fourth five-star recruit that coach Calipari has landed in this class. You can find their full 2023 recruiting class below.