Kentucky basketball loses another weapon to Arkansas after former 5-star recruit’s decision
The Kentucky basketball program is going through a challenging transition ahead of the 2024-25 season. The Wildcats lost longtime head coach John Calipari to fellow SEC basketball foe Arkansas. As a result, Kentucky is experiencing significant recruitment migration, with one of the latest developments being former five-star DJ Wagner.
Wagner is following Calipari and has committed to Arkansas via the college basketball transfer portal, per On3 (h/t Arkansas Democrat-Gazette).
The former five-star recruit started 28 games for the Wildcats during the 2023-24 season. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game. In addition, she shot 40.5 percent from the field and 29.9 percent on three-pointers.
One of DJ Wagner’s breakout moments came during Kentucky’s 118-82 win over Marshall on Nov. 24th. The 6’4″ guard scored a career-high 28 points, going 10-for-14 from the floor. Wagner’s efforts throughout the season earned him a spot on the SEC’s All-Freshman Team. He also amassed three SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
DJ Wagner’s departure hurts the rapidly changing Kentucky basketball squad. In addition to Wagner, the Wildcats lost former freshmen Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard as 2024 NBA Draft entries.
Sheppard and Dillingham were one of the best freshman duos in the country in 2023-24. Sheppard
earned the SEC Freshman of the Year Award and Second-Team All-Conference honors after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals on blazing 52.1% three-point shooting accuracy.
The sharpshooting guard’s effort ranked him among elite company. He is the only first-round pick from college to shoot over 50% on threes at his volume since Glen Rice at Michigan during the 1988-89 season.
Rob Dillingham had nearly as impressive of a season. The shifty guard averaged 15.2 points and shot a red-hot 44.0 percent on three-pointers during the 2023-24 season. He earned All-Freshman and Second-Team All-Conference honors.
It will be interesting to see how Kentucky bounces back amid their talent exodus.
Kentucky basketball starts new era after John Calipari’s exit
John Calipari left Kentucky to join the basketball program at Arkansas in the beginning of April. While some found his move startling, it was speculated that he made it following the Wildcats’ difficult March Madness exit. Despite being seeded third going into the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky shockingly fell to Oakland 80-76 in the opening round.
While expressing his displeasure with the team’s performance, Calipari also demonstrated his concern and dedication to victory.
“My expectation is that we will compete for national titles and play all the way through the NCAA Tournament. and take home national championships. Even though I knew it, I still wanted this job. After Kentucky’s elimination in the first round, Calipari remarked, “I love this job knowing that was the case.”
The seasoned head coach wanted to stick around the Wildcats. Yet when Eric Musselman left Arkansas, Calipari took advantage of the fresh opportunity. He is rumored to have always been extremely appreciative of his head coaching job with the Razorbacks.
After fifteen years as Kentucky’s boss, Calipari became the new leader of Arkansas. Nevertheless, he was a huge asset to the Wildcats. Calipari’s team led to twelve NCAA Tournament berths, including a championship in 2011–12.
Former BYU head coach Mark Pope will now work for Kentucky. Pope is a capable leader who wants to help the Wildcats stay a significant force in the nation.
