LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- DJ Wagner, a highly touted freshman who was fifth on the University of Kentucky's team in scoring and fifth in minutes played,told On3Sports he will enter the transfer portal.
The decision doesn't come as a great surprise after the departure of John Calipari for Arkansas. Wagner figures to be a good bet to follow Calipari, who also coached his father.
Wagner came to UK as a projected lottery pick, but his draft position fell during the season. He was projected as the No. 51 overall pick by The Ringer in its mock draft released last week. He averaged 9.9 points per game as a freshman for Kentucky.
Wagner also is the grandson of University of Louisville Hall of Famer and former basketball staffer Milt Wagner, and former coach Kenny Payne pursued him before he and his AAU teammate Aaron Bradshaw committed to Kentucky.
Bradshaw already has entered the portal. Classmates Rob Dilingham and Justin Edwards have declared for the NBA Draft.
Wagner announced his decision a day after Mark Pope was introduced as UK coach, and on the same day that recruit Boogie Fland decommitted from the Wildcats. Fland, however, says he'll continue to speak with Pope and left open the possibility of remaining at Kentucky.
Kentucky Basketball Coverage:
- CRAWFORD | On the bus: Pope's stirring arrival revives (nearly 20K) Kentucky faithful
- Arkansas men's basketball officially names John Calipari as head coach
- CRAWFORD | Kentucky freshman Rob Dillingham declares for NBA Draft
- CRAWFORD | Report: Kentucky's Aaron Bradshaw headed for transfer portal
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