In a thrilling announcement, it has been revealed that Kentucky men’s basketball guard D.J. Wagner has been named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week. This honor marks the 100th SEC Freshman of the Week award for the storied Wildcats during the tenure of head coach John Calipari.
Wagner showcased his talents on the court, averaging 12.5 points and 6.0 assists per game, as Kentucky secured victories over Mississippi State and Georgia. These wins propelled the Wildcats to an impressive 14-3 overall record, with a 4-1 standing in the SEC. Hailing from Camden, New Jersey, Wagner executed an outstanding performance against Georgia, achieving his first-ever double-double with 18 points and a career-high 10 assists on an impressive 8 of 12 shooting from the field.
Wagner played a pivotal role in guiding the high-scoring Wildcat offense, leading them to a remarkable 90-point game against Mississippi State, making it the highest point total allowed by Mississippi State’s defense this season. In their battle against Georgia, Kentucky exploded for 105 points, marking their first 100-point game in conference play since January 15, 2022. This scoring spree has been unprecedented for the Wildcats, as they have now scored 90 or more points in four consecutive SEC games, a feat not witnessed since 1994.
Kentucky has an illustrious history of securing weekly SEC honors, outpacing all other schools with an impressive tally of 131 honors during the Calipari era. This includes an astonishing 100 SEC Freshman of the Week awards and 31 SEC Player of the Week accolades. Wagner’s exceptional skills have earned him the SEC Freshman of the Week title three times this season, joining the ranks of Reed Sheppard (twice) and Aaron Bradshaw as freshmen Wildcats who have received this distinction.
Throughout the season, Wagner has proven to be a key contributor for Kentucky, averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. In 16 contests, he has scored in double figures on 10 occasions and has dished out at least three assists in 12 games.
Looking ahead, the Wildcats will hit the road for a challenging matchup against South Carolina on Tuesday at 7 p.m. This highly anticipated game will be televised on SEC Network, with the action taking place at Colonial Life Arena.
For the latest news and updates on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, make sure to follow @KentuckyMBB on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as visit UKathletics.com.
