The Kentucky-bound Camden High School duo of Aaron Bradshaw and D.J. Wagner have been named semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy High School Player of the Year, awarded annually by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Fellow Kentucky commit Justin Edwards of Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia was also named a finalist. The three players shared the same court last Saturday at St. Joe’s University when Wagner scored 18 of his game-high 22 points in the second half to lead Camden, No. 2 in the NJ.com Top 20, to a 60-57 win.
All three players were also named to the McDonald’s All-American Game set for March 28 in Houston. Pervis Ellison, the former Louisville star who was the No. 1 pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, told NJ Advance Media the trio could be part of Kentucky coach John Calipari’s “best” recruiting class ever.
Wagner, rated No. 2 by ESPN in the Class of 2023, is averaging 21.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists for Camden, which plays against Combine Academy (N.C.) Friday night in Frankfort, Ky.
“I have known D.J. his entire life and I’ve always wanted to coach him,” Calipari said upon Wagner’s signing. “Above all he is a competitor. He attacks the offensive end and is a versatile scorer, but he is equally as tough on defense. I love the spirit he’ll bring to practice every day, and I love that he wanted to be at Kentucky. He knows that to get the best of himself, he needs to be surrounded by other talented players who are going to match his competitive energy.”
The 7-2 Bradshaw is averaging 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game as a senior.
“The most impactful trait we can have on the defensive end is the ability to block shots, and Aaron is elite at that,” Calipari said of Bradshaw’s game at the time of his signing. “He also has all of the tools that a versatile big in today’s game needs. Aaron’s motor continues to improve, he has great size and mobility. As a 7-footer, he can change the game on both ends of the court. He has a high ceiling and has only begun to scratch the surface of the kind of player he can be.”
Edwards is ESPN’s No. 1 ranked player in the 2023 class.
“Justin has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways,” Calipari said in the fall. “He has terrific size, can play multiple positions and can score the ball at all three levels. I really like how active he is defensively and his desire to rebound every ball. He already has a great understanding that he can positively impact winning without scoring. That isn’t something you can teach, and I know Justin is going to demand the same of his teammates.”
Ron Mercer is the lone former Wildcat to win the high school honor after a stellar senior season with Oak Hill Academy in 1995.
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com.
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