DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw Dominate in Big Blue Introduction: 'Felt Like I Was at Home.'

FRANKFORT, Ky. — In due time, Kentucky basketball signees DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw will be making waves in a Wildcat uniform. 

The pair of top-ranked recruits in the 2023 class were able to showcase their talents in front of Big Blue Nation for the first time on Friday night, as Camden High School made the trip from New Jersey to take part in The Kentucky Preview inside the William Exum Center on Kentucky State University's campus.

Wagner and Bradshaw entered the packed gym, earning standing ovations from the crowd as their names were announced before tipoff against Combine Academy (N.C.), the final game of a tripleheader in the state capital.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari, assistant Chin Coleman, some current Wildcats and Louisville head coach Kenny Payne were all in attendance, as the powerful duo of future Cats made their presence felt in a monstrous way.

It was a beatdown from the start, as Camden quickly jumped out to a 13-1 lead. After one half, it was 49-25. Combine never cut the deficit below 15 for the rest of the way, as the Panthers claimed an easy 80-57 win. 

Bradshaw was the star of the show, collecting a game-high 21 points and six rebounds. The 7-footer was a man amongst boys, dominating in the paint, finishing lobs and even knocking down a 3-pointer from the top of the key, courtesy of a pick-and-pop pass from Wagner. 

That assist would be one of five for the sturdy combo guard, who still finished with 18 points despite a slow start shooting the ball. 

After the game, both 5-star recruits expressed the love they're already feeling from the fanbase, despite still being a few months away from putting on the UK jersey.

"It was fun, it was a great experience. Very appreciative of them coming out and supporting us," Wagner told reporters. "I know how passionate the fans are, so I kind of expected them to come out and show a lot of love today."

"It was real fun, I saw a lot of blue out there ... it was like I was at Rupp Arena, felt like I was just at home, it was a good feeling," Bradshaw gushed.

The pair are two of five signees for Kentucky's 2023 class, which is rated as the No. 1 class in the nation for next season. BBN had a chance to see forward Justin Edwards throw down against Kentuckian Reed Sheppard in Louisville back in December. Sheppard was also introduced during UK's game against Kansas last weekend,  alongside 5-star point guard Rob Dillingham. The quintet make up Calipari's seventh No. 1 class during his tenure in Lexington. 

Things are a tad different for Wagner and Bradshaw, however. Many of the players on Camden have grown up playing basketball with each other, so for the two to have an opportunity to continue that journey together at the next level at one of, if not the biggest stage in college basketball is nothing short of amazing. 

"We talk about it sometimes, we're definitely excited, just to be able to step on that floor together and play at the next level together, that's like a blessing to be able to play with one of my high school teammates," Wagner said.

Bradshaw still hasn't totally wrapped his mind around it: 

"Me and him have been talking about it...it's surreal, like we're going to the next level, not too many people go as like a 'package deal,' but it's surreal, it's playing with my brother, that's basically what it is."

It was Bradshaw that first committed, doing so on the night of Big Blue Madness on Oct. 14. Exactly one month later, Wagner would pick the Wildcats over Louisville, cementing the eye-popping class that Calipari was once again able to put together.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this class,” Calipari said. “We have five talented and dynamic players who have the drive and commitment it takes to succeed at Kentucky. They all know this isn’t for everyone, and they have welcomed that challenge and want to be pushed not only by our coaching staff, but by other really good players every day. Their potential to be great is there, now it is up to them to embrace this stage and come in every day ready to work. All five of these guys are winners. They’ve won at the highest levels and know how to impact winning in a number of ways.

Soon, the New Jerseyans will flock south, realizing the achievement of making the next level and playing for a program as prestigious as Kentucky. They both got a taste on Friday, as the two took a visit to Lexington to see Calipari and Coleman before the game, even getting to practice in the Joe Craft Center. 

The hoard of blue and white in Frankfort was a reminder of the passion that exudes from BBN. While it may be daunting for some, it only drives home the belief of playing for UK in 2023 for the elite prospects. 

"Seeing how much they love basketball," Wagner said when asked about choosing Kentucky. "When I went on the visits and stuff like that, it just felt like I was at home already. I was comfortable ... the whole program made me feel at home, that environment and that feeling definitely made me confident in coming here." 

WATCH: Oscar Tshiebwe, Sahvir Wheeler speak ahead of Florida matchup.

More on Tshiebwe HERE.

More on Kentucky's win over Ole Miss HERE.

Game notes from the victory can be found HERE.

WATCH: Antonio Reeves, Chris Livingston speak following Ole Miss win.

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