PHILADELPHIA — Kentucky dominated recruiting in the talant rich prep community this year.
The Cats signed three five star prospects– guard DJ Wagner and 7-0 center Aaron Bradshaw of Camden High School and 6-8 forward Justin Edwards of Imotep Prep in Philadelphia.
Wagner and Edwards are generally considered among the Top 2 prospects in the class of 2023 according to ESPN and should both be NBA lottery picks. Bradshaw is a Top 25. Bradshaw is listed as No. 5.
Having said that, shouldn’t Coach Cal consider playing a game in the city next year at Wells Fargo so local fans could see the local heroes in person.
Wagner is considered the biggest catch. He is the grandson of former Louisville star guard and NBA player Milt Wagner and the son of Juanny Wagner, who was a lottery pick when he played for Calipari at Memphis in the early part of the 2000s and has been an impact player since ninth grade. He is currently rated the No. 1 prospect in the class.
Wagner set off a recruiting war this summer when he considered Kentucky and Commonwealth rival Louisville after the Cardinals’ coach Kenny Payne hired his grandfather as an assistant coach.
But in the end, his long term relatonship with Calipari made the difference.’
“I have known DJ his entire life and I’ve always wanted to coach him,” Calipari said. “Above all, he is a competitor. I love the spirit he’ll bring to practice every day and I love that he wanted to be at Kentucky.”
Kentucky has also signed guard Robert Dillingham, the No. 8 player on the list as well as local prospect Reed Shepard, the No. 26 rated player from North Laurel High.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this class,” Calipari said. “We have five talented and dynamic players who have the drive and committment it takes to succeed at Kentucky. They all know this isn’t for everyone and they have welcomed the challgne and want to be pushed not only by our coaching staff but by other really good players every day. Their potential to e great is there, now its up to them to embrace this stage and come in every day ready to work.”
