In an electrifying first-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament, Camden, New Jersey native D.J. Wagner showcased his skills, scoring 14 points and dishing out six assists to propel the No. 10 seed Arkansas to a 79-72 victory over the No. 7 seed Kansas on Thursday night in Providence, Rhode Island.
The sophomore guard made a significant impact early in the game, netting 12 of his 14 points in the first half, which helped the Razorbacks secure a three-point lead against the Jayhawks. Wagner's shooting was solid, hitting 5 of 12 attempts from the field, and he also contributed with three rebounds.
Wagner's journey in the NCAA Tournament last year was less than ideal. As a freshman on a No. 3 seed Kentucky team, he faced disappointment when they were upset by No. 14 seed Oakland, losing 80-76. That Kentucky squad was packed with talent, including Philadelphia native and Sixers forward Justin Edwards.
That game marked the end of John Calipari's tenure at Kentucky, leading him to take the reins at Arkansas, where Wagner decided to follow. This year, Wagner and Calipari have already surpassed their previous tournament performance, but the Razorbacks had a rollercoaster season in a competitive Southeastern Conference, finishing with a record of 21-13 overall and 8-10 in SEC play.
During the 2024-25 season, Wagner played in 33 games for the Razorbacks, averaging 11.1 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 40% from the field. His contributions have been vital to the team's success as they navigate the tournament.
Before making his mark in college basketball, Wagner was a standout at Camden High School, where he earned the title of McDonald's All-American Game MVP and was recognized as one of the top recruits in the Class of 2023 by ESPN and 247Sports. His high school career was nothing short of remarkable, leading Camden to its first state championship in over two decades and being named the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons. He also represented the USA Men's Nike Hoop Summit team.
Wagner is continuing a family legacy in basketball, following in the footsteps of his father, Dajuan Wagner, and grandfather, Milt Wagner, both of whom played at Camden and went on to have careers in the NBA.
Looking ahead, Wagner and the Razorbacks are set to face the winner of the St. John's versus Omaha game on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, as they aim to continue their impressive run.
Tom Ignudo, a digital content producer at CBS Philadelphia, has been covering high school and college sports since joining the team in 2021. His experience includes reporting on breaking news and sports for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
