That's not fair, a lot of UK s one and fones love UK, reference John Wall
DJ Wagner…
- Thread starter wfc7
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I agree but I just don’t see it. Cal will make sure he doesn’t end up here even if he doesn’t go pro and stay in the draft.
The critical moment where it no longer matters that they are someone’s son.
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Wagner needs another year in college. He'll get away better coaching here than with Cal. His 3pt% isn't great, but you can bet the house that we'll have a shooting specialist on staff.
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Wagner and Z were reportedly set to come back and play for Cal before he left. I’d be very surprised if they both don’t transfer to Arkansas.
After last year it would be crazy for anyone to pony up that level of NIL for him. The portal is full of better options at his position.
I hope dj stays he needs to work on his right side more and has potential to be a bulldog on defense I like dj
Brainwashed? You mean loyal to someone that has repeatedly shown to care about them and their family.
Same. I hope he stays too. He was trending in the right direction prior to his injury.
I do not remember hearing him in the portal. I have only heard 3 in the portal. Z, Adou, and Hart. Am I missing something or are we saying he is leaving without putting his name in the portal?
If Wagner is good enough to play in the NBA next year Cal should get fired from Arkansas for being the worst coach of all time.
I want Wagner back, but I didn’t see anything that made me think he is NBA ready.
You can say the same for several other Calipari players. Chris Livingston is the most recent one. Ashton Hagans had no business declaring for the draft, and after bouncing around the G-League for a couple years, he actually developed into a role player for the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half of the season this year.
Those wanting D.J. to leave because he was not great are funny. Everyone has recognized that Cal's one and done wasn't working any longer and wanted players who would stay around longer. To imagine that a player doesn't improve from Freshman to Soph and so on is silly and exactly what is needed for a championship team.
D.J. had a decent 3 point shot in the McD's game, and in a few games this season but what was more impressive was his ability to get to a spot in the paint for a jump shot. For who knows what reason (assuming Cal) it changed where D.J. was supposed to go all the way to the basket and clearly that wasn't his strength.
I don't expect him to stay. However, Cal's offense as well as for Z is simply not the best fit. I hope both recognize that.
D.J. had a decent 3 point shot in the McD's game, and in a few games this season but what was more impressive was his ability to get to a spot in the paint for a jump shot. For who knows what reason (assuming Cal) it changed where D.J. was supposed to go all the way to the basket and clearly that wasn't his strength.
I don't expect him to stay. However, Cal's offense as well as for Z is simply not the best fit. I hope both recognize that.
Cal likes having 2 PG's on the floor at a time (at least half his UK teams had that). But I think Wagner, because of his playing style, wants to be "the PG", not "a PG". So I'm not sure he would be looking forward to playing with Reed again, or with Fland. Although he may think he has the advantage over Fland as a SOPH. So if Reed returns, I think we have no chance at Wagner. If Reed doesn't, then it may depend on how well Pope thinks his game fits (which I'm thinking it's not a great fit, but can we get a better option from the portal?). But also who does he think he would compete with at Ark; AND I think he will be open to other teams. So I think he will be looking at Opportunity #1, over NIL (#2), but I'm sure NIL is a small factor too.
His style doesn’t at all fit with Pope’s offense. Besides, he’s one-dimensional - drive to the same side of the goal and throw up a prayer. Dribble around a lot looking for a hole to drive. Missing threes.
DJ has good form sometimes, when he doesn't feel rushed.
But when he is pressured, he tries to get his shot off quicker, resulting in a flatter shot, lowering his chances of making it.
Why wouldn’t DJ want to be dishing to someone who makes 50% of their 3’s? Reed is a brilliant passer, but most were off the break or in transition and not running the offense in a half court set.
Reed is a perfect 2 in college and I can’t imagine anyone else DJ would expect to boost assist numbers as much as him.
His name isn't DJ Wagner Jr though.... The "J" is the Jr in his name, he's Dajuan Wagner Jr, DJ Wagner for short. Idk why that annoys me so much.
Not talking bout that man. There’s a lot of one and dones that actually loved Kentucky.
Honestly, I have no ill will toward the players from the Cal era. Have to understand their loyalty.
Wishful thinking. The days of traditional players are about as plentiful as hens teeth
Is it possible that it wasn't an intentional thing. but a one and done thing that conditioned Cal to automatically relentlessly go after next year's blue Chipper's predicated on a planned exodus by the present class?
To me this is a catch 22:thing and the onus of expectation is on the one's pushing them to sign a loi in this system.
They should know what they're getting into.
I'm sure some of the parents and guardians push many of them here to follow the green brick road.
Wagner is Cal's God-son. Anyone expecting him to even remotely consider a return to UK is being more than naive. It's just the way it is and always was.
Pope landed a recruit today.
Expect Cal to have someone announce for Arkansas in response. He's a petty b*tch.
I think it's in UK's best interest if DJ and company all transfer/commit to Arkansas. That's less transfer portal competition for coach Pope.
Oh yeah, the recruits are complicit in the whole thing, not really innocent bystanders, but what do we expect from 17 and 18-year-olds? The parents are the ones who should take note. The ones who are considered the elite blue-chippers coming out of high school are expected to be one and done in Cal's system. And since he's recruiting over them, they have to know it's a one-year deal, no matter what. They're either supposed to declare for the NBA or transfer. The lower rated players can stay because they're no threat for playing time for the incoming recruits. 2 and done doesn't work in this system very often.
Does Wagner end up at Memphis or UofL? If I were either of them, can’t think of any legitimate reason why Wagner or Big Z would move to Fayetteville and lose another 9 months of life with Calipari.
One thing that Coach Pope clearly stated that players need to be a fit. I have nothing to think that DJ isn't a great kid or that he will not play in the NBA. However when I look at him I wouldn't say he would be a fit for the Pope system. Justin Edwards would have been, I think Bradshaw could have fit, Big Z would have.
Well, Z has already said he's going to Fayetteville. I don't know about Wagner, but I would bet he follows Cal, too.
Yeah, but other than having the maturity and lack of foresight of a 20 year old, why? Calipari didn't deliver the promised one-and-done pot o' gold to either of them. That's Calipari's sales schtick. His only schtick.
Yeah, you're right. They should now know better than to believe that line anymore. I would understand why Ivisic might give Cal another chance because of the NCAA's dragging their feet about his eligibility. But not Wagner.
And let's be honest- neither of those guys are ready for the NBA right now. I do see tremendous potential in Z, but he needs more experience. As for Wagner, his shot is broken. There's no way around it. He needs to have his shot broken down and start over. What are the chances Calipari will be able to accomplish that? Zero. Wagner may never be ready. He will take a bunch of shots but may never be an efficient player.
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