LEXINGTON, Ky. – December 18, 2023
Kentucky men’s basketball freshman guard D.J. Wagner earned his second Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week accolade of the season on Monday. Wagner charted 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in UK’s upset win over No. 9 North Carolina on Saturday.
UK has won more weekly SEC honors (128) than any other school during the John Calipari era, including 97 SEC Freshman of the Week awards and 31 SEC Player of the Week honors. Wagner has Freshman of the Week honors twice this season and Reed Sheppard has earned the distinction once.
Wagner played a game-high 35 minutes for the Wildcats against the Tar Heels. His six rebounds were a season high. Wagner shot 42.9% from the field and 50% from long range. The Camden, New Jersey, native also dished out five assists and earned a steal in the win.
Kentucky had three players, including Wagner, log at least six boards as UK dominated on the glass and outrebounded North Carolina, 42-32. Wagner also picked up a steal as Kentucky induced a season-high 17 turnovers by the Tar Heels.
For the season, Wagner is logging 12.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Kentucky returns to action on Thursday as UK visits Louisville in its first true road test of the season. Game time is set for 6 p.m. ET with the game airing on ESPN from the KFC Yum! Center.