The Arkansas Razorbacks landed a commitment from Kentucky guard and former McDonald’s All-American D.J. Wagner Jr., a program source told The Athletic.
Wagner will reunite with John Calipari, who took the Arkansas job in April. He picked the Razorbacks over USC, which he visited in early May, and also considered Florida and Oregon.
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Wagner, an SEC All-Freshman selection who averaged 9.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, is the Razorbacks’ fifth transfer portal addition and the third to follow Calipari from Kentucky. Arkansas is adding Wagner, center Zvonimir Ivisic and forward Adou Thiero from Kentucky as well as center Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee) and guard Johnell Davis (FAU).
Before departing Kentucky, Calipari had a top-three recruiting class in 2024 that included five signees. He is bringing three of them to Arkansas — Boogie Fland, Karter Knox and Billy Richmond. Somoto Cyril committed to Georgia and Travis Perry kept his commitment to the Wildcats and new coach Mark Pope.
The Razorbacks currently have eight players on the roster and will need to fill five more spots. Hogs fans should keep an eye on Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins and Miami transfer Wooga Poplar, if they return to school, as well as Little Rock transfer KK Robinson and a few international prospects as potential players to fill out the roster.
Calipari currently has only three freshmen on his roster. In years past, he’s typically had four or more. Will the change of scenery affect the way he constructs his rosters or will he continue to rely on highly touted freshmen?
Early prediction on Arkansas’ 2024-25 starting five:
- Boogie Fland
- D.J. Wagner
- Johnell Davis
- Adou Thiero
- Jonas Aidoo
(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)