DJ Wagner

[UKBB4Ever]

I think DJ gets up for the bright lights and biggest games. He thrives in that environment. I've said all season that I really think we go as far as he can take us, and I really like his trajectory and upside.

I think that’s part of it. But I think it’s more that those environments don’t rattle him.

He’s always cool and in control.

 

[crestcat]

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound

 

[ksharpless]

I agree he can still be great. Be will just need to completely adjust his game because if he can't blow by college defenders he definitely won't in the pros.

Shai is a guy he could model after too. He isn't as long as shai, but can definitely use his change of pace and feel/counters to get what he wants. Plus DJ is similar to shai too in that he isn't really a gifted distributor by nature.

I know it won't happen, but unless he immediately starts changing his entire game, the kid should really stay another year to get that transformation complete.

Yo Shai is a good call! Craft and savvy will def be the key. I actually feel like DJ has shown some flashes of an underrated trait I think make Shai and Luka are VERY good at for not being “fast”.

They DEcelerate at an elite level. I never paid attention to it as a skill till reading an article about Doncic but it is an extreme gift to be able to stop and change direction from a full sprint. Shai and Luka both can stop on a dime and change speeds the way you mention very adeptly.

Obv they’re longer and that helps but the way DJ kinda shifts his body and changes directions sometimes is rare and instinctive.

The left hand left foot scoop shot he had yesterday was incredible. EXTREMELY hard to do if you really look and think about it.

Think he just needs to get consistent with the touch on the finishes but his body control is crazy.

 

[mcwildcats04]

Let's not overlook that it was Wagner's key near steal and deflection that he sent way back into the backcourt that got UF into a big scramble mode with the shot clocking winding down where they had to take that shot that Bradshaw was in position for the perfect block. All of that started because of Wagner's hustle.

 

[$Z71$]

What is it with 6’8” SF/PF who are meekish with flashes of real athleticism? This is our third, Poythress, Brooks, and now Edwards

You forgot Knox.

 

[ksharpless]

You forgot Knox.

Shoot can I get a James Young?

Feel like he’s the poster child.

He did big things in that tourney run but just always felt If he had more motor/dog/fire whatever in him, it’d have REALLY been appreciated lol.

Praying Justin keeps his mind strong and breaks through. Feel like it’s all mental.

 

[ukcatz12]

He played fine (not great) and he needs to play….but his numbers on the season are still pedestrian 43%Fg and 31%3pt

Florida game worked out as Dilly was not good..but 36 minutes for DJ is a bit high. I’d still like to play even harder and keep the minutes 32 and below

36 minutes was completely warranted against Florida seeing as he was basically getting to the rim at will. And his overall shooting percentage is heavily affected by two really bad games where he went 1-12 against Kansas and 1-6 against UL. If you throw out both Wagner's and Dillingham's two worst shooting games they're shooting within 1% of each other. Last two games Wagner's shooting 60% from the field and 60% from 3. He's been great.

 

[ZenCatFan73]

He has a great crossover and drive to the basket. He does it all the time and it is hard for the other teams to defend.

 

[IL Wildcat]

If he focuses on drive first and only takes threes when he’s wide open I think he will continue to excel. Was happy to see him hyped up a little today. Has to be a confidence booster.

Agreed. He needs to focus on driving and finishing or assisting first. That's his strength. He can make threes if he's able to set his feet, so that's where his 3pt shots should come. But he showed at Florida that he is elite driving and finishing. Calipari said after that game the very thing DJ seems to be learning. Just because you start a game slow or make some bad plays doesn't mean the entire game is blown. If you keep playing, you can still make an impact on the game.

Actually, we had several guys in that game who had a similar kind of game. Several made some bad plays at times but they all kept fighting and they found a way to win. It's a great sign for this team.

 

[cats#1again]

Teams played him hard left waiting on that scoop. He developed some counters that worked nicely. Now he should have a game or two before he has to counter those adjustments.

Imo still lacks the elite athleticism to be truly dominant.

I agree with this. I still think he's a really good pg and is getting better by the game. He's a hair too short and athleticism isn't outstanding to be a star. Andrew Harrison is who he reminds me of actually. Just a bit shorter

 

[gharding07]

He doesn't need to be ultra athletic to be successful his ability to get to the basket whenever he wants is awesome. I've yet to see somebody completely stop him from going to where he wants to go.

 

[gharding07]

And for a freshman pg to play 36 minutes in that environment on the road and only have one turnover is PHENOMENAL.

 

[K_TIME]

36 minutes was completely warranted against Florida seeing as he was basically getting to the rim at will. And his overall shooting percentage is heavily affected by two really bad games where he went 1-12 against Kansas and 1-6 against UL. If you throw out both Wagner's and Dillingham's two worst shooting games they're shooting within 1% of each other. Last two games Wagner's shooting 60% from the field and 60% from 3. He's been great.

1. It isn’t just two games that has DJ shoots poorly that has impacted him.
- st joe 7-17
- Miami 1-3
- Stonehill 3-9
- and he rarely has a game he shoots lights out
- I won’t go into three point percentage…DJ cant seem to have a 4-5 from deep game as he’s not a marksman
2. On defense…I think DJ is better than Reed and Diilly…but he’s not an elite ball defender in his own right. In Florida game both of their guards for 23 pts a piece and shot a good to great percentage to get this.

Again. I’m fine with DJ and he’s a piece we need. All I’m saying is we don't need any single player over 32’minutes given you have Shep Dilly Reeves to rotate at the guards

 

[ck-2]

I agree with this. I still think he's a really good pg and is getting better by the game. He's a hair too short and athleticism isn't outstanding to be a star. Andrew Harrison is who he reminds me of actually. Just a bit shorter

I have thought for a while that Andrew Harrisons game at KY is exactly who DJ should try to emulate, drive and draw contact.