He was born in Trenton before moving to Dallas as a child. Regardless of the investigation, Camden is ready for another championship, another season of glory for D.J. Coming into the tournament, the Scholars, which includes Wagner and three other Camden High players, is among the best on the summer circuit. His time on the Hornets is still well-remembered, with Bogues holding the franchise records for career assists and steals as of 2021. Wagner is the son of Milt Wagner, who was a second-round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. And a trip back to Muggsys roots revealed the foundation for such a team. In ESPN's initial mock 2024 NBA Draft, Wagner is projected as a top-10 pick. They always had each others backs something Muggsy didnt get elsewhere on the court because of his size. He (Dajuan) was a middle-school phenom and D.J. Melchionni, who starred at Bishop Eustace Prep in Pennsauken, was a reserve on the 1967 NBA champion 76ers before moving to the ABA, where he played seven years for the Nets. And hes still famously recognized as the shortest player to have ever played in the league. NBA writer + video department at ClutchPoints | Follow me on Twitter @CalFongNBA. At 17, D.J. Camden Basketball History Previous Seasons All-Time Roster 2022-23 ( 12 players) Head Coach: Maalik Waynes Richmond, Billy ( Jr.) Hornsby, Jaylan ( Jr.) Murray, Teron ( Jr.) Moore, Ramone Wagner, Dj ( Sr.) Bradshaw, Aaron ( Sr.) Haskins, Dasear ( Sr.) Coleman, James Medley, Cian ( Sr.) Robinson, Cornelius ( Sr.) Mcgill, Ernest Mack, Jaleel ( Sr.) 1-ranked recruit Wagner chooses Kentucky", "Can this 14-year-old phenom become the first third-generation NBA player? He attacks the offensive end and is a versatile scorer, but he is equally as tough on defense. The man who had the unenviable task of replacing Bill Russell on the Boston Celtics eventually became a fan favorite in the city. The 7-footer from Union Citywas part of the franchise's 1974 championship and played for nine seasons in the NBA. He averaged 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds a game as pro. Milt Wagner - Wikipedia Wagner to make history, Men's college basketball rosters: Comings and goings for 2023-24, 2023 No. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dajuan_Wagner_Jr.&oldid=1151730067. They were ranked the top high school team in the nation throughout the season, and they won the state title again Dunbars sixth title in eight years. Camden native now lives out of the spotlight. He scored a season-high 32 points against Old Dominion on November 14, 2001 in his 2nd game with Memphis, and tied his season high on March 26, 2002 against Temple during the NIT semifinal. He was fifth on The Star-Ledger's list of the greatest N.J. athletes of the 20th Century, and had his focus been solely on basketball and not also a pro football career, there's no telling what he might have accomplished. He played nine seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and has also worked as an assistant coach for several teams. The familiar chant, "You want The High? 1 in the 2023 rankings, Wagner finishes ranked No. The Columbia High and Seton Hall graduate had a long and productive career in the NBA, one that started in 1988 with Portland and ended in 2003 in Boston. He debuted on December 19, 1997 against Highland High School, scoring 12 points. The Hudson Catholic graduate went from one of the finest college teams at North Carolina to some woeful NBA teams in his home state, playing for the Nets from 1980-86. The city has demolished hundreds of vacant homes, and new buildings, including Camden's first hotel in a half century and a training center for the Philadelphia 76ers, have risen along the waterfront. Select the players you wish to trade from the rosters below. ", Like they once celebrated his grandfather and father, the people of Camden have embraced D.J., and the block party is his way to give back. Averaging 40 points per game over the course of a season in high school basketball is hard. D.J. UPDATED: Ranking New Jersey's 50 greatest basketball players Deng, a Sudanese who moved to New Jersey when he was 14 and enrolled at Blair Academy, is a two-time NBA All-Star entering his 14th season in the NBA. He led the Panthers to a 29-1 record in 2019-20, including a season-ending, 25-game winning streak. (0:27). Wagner was drafted in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft. [6], Coached by former NBA player Rick Brunson,[7] Wagner helped lead Camden to 25 consecutive victories before the team's season was ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo credit: YouTube) Rick Brunson, the former NBA player and assistant coach, spent the last three years as the head basketball coach of the Camden High School Panthers. Wagner was a sensation from the start, helping to lead the Panthers to a 29-1 record in his freshman year. During his playing career, he was listed at 6'3" (1.91 m) tall and 175 lbs. In an area where most kids dont expect to live past 20, Bogues and Williams retreated to basketball. The players either moved to the city or attended magnet schools as out-of-district students. Wagner attended Camden High School, where he played with the varsity team freshman year. Harris was joking, of course. Brunson will replace Vic Carstarphen, his former teammate at Temple. Only two players in NBA history have done it and they are both named Wilt Chamberlain. For Wagner, who is just a couple weeks removed from winning a gold medal with the U.S. team at the FIBA U-17 World Cup in Spain, the attention appears to be no big deal. Players listed for each high school attended; Active players in bold; * Indicates Hall of Famer; Includes stats from NBA and ABA. … I want to put my dreams on hold to make sure my kids who I started with reached their dreams.. As Rick Brunson Leaves Camden, His Impact Will Never Be Questioned All content 2000-2023 RealGM, L.L.C. [1] During his time with the team, Camden took the group IV state championship in 1982. Steve Politi may be reached atspoliti@njadvancemedia.com. Dajuan Marquett "D. He has stood at the top of his recruiting class since he started high school, but he carries himself with a quiet humility, even getting water for his teammates when he is on the bench. [3] He was invited back to a second USA Basketball event several months later, before the start of the high school basketball season in New Jersey. Former NBA player and coach Rick Brunson will be hired as the new basketball coach at Camden High School pending board of education approval, The Inquirer has learned. He isn't a star, but he has proven himself to be a valuable bench player on eight teams. Former Temple star, NBA player Rick Brunson coaching Camden High School Wade wanted to establish hard-working habits that they didnt get from their environment outside of school walls. Do you have a blog? City political leaders, including Mayor Victor Carstarphen, the school board president and a former member of the city council and state legislature, once wore the Panthers' purple and gold. Who did we rank too high? He wants everybody else to do well.. He played one season at the University of Memphis and was the No. Get as Excel Workbook. [11] On November 14, 2022, Wagner committed to the University of Kentucky, deciding over Louisville. After all, Muggsy was playing alongside guys hed been playing with and against his whole life. Through the decline and rebirth, the Panthers' dominance has been a constant and the team is woven through the fabric of the city. Distanced both physically and figuratively, Bogues was itching until the day he could rejoin his friends. CAMDEN, N.J. - Pat Croce rarely saw anything that could ruin his feel-great spirit, but he would make an exception in the 1997 NBA offseason. Rick Brunson - Wikipedia But college recruiting was no easy field. Even more surprising, he didnt realize he was walking into a surprise wedding his own. Wherever he chooses, he has the potential to go further than both his dad and his grandfather, to become the biggest NBA star to come out of Camden yet. In total, 12 Poets players went on to Division I basketball programs in college. He kept his composure and did what he had to do.. Not many dispute it. Monday's hearing that could have had consequences for Camden High School's boys' basketball team was delayed at least two weeks after a judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday regarding Camden's appearance before the NJSIAA's controversy committee. Judge's order delays NJSIAA hearing on Camden High basketball the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. He moved back to Camden, reconnected with The High and began training his son in the family business. 6. His advice to kids today? [9] On January 24, 2023 Wagner became the first 3rd generation McDonald's All-American, joining both his father Dajuan and grandfather Milt. He was drafted 6th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2002 NBA draft . Wagner, who signed with the Wildcats during the early period, chose Kentucky over archrival Louisville. Camden officials have denied the allegations, saying the out-of-district enrollments were handled properly. The Knicks might want a return on the four-year, $72 million contract they gave him, though. They turn out to pick up backpacks and school supplies given away by Nike and Subaru, to shoot hoops and eat free food, but mostly they come to celebrate a young man. Youve lived a long life in terms of, basketball wise, you did a lot, so why not help them? [2], On January 16, 2001 he scored 100 points against Camden County Tech. During his tenure, Brunson boasted a 73-4 record and ignited the Panthers' resurgence on the national high school basketball scene. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. They took Coach Wades words to heart. When the small-of-stature Muggsy was announced in the starting lineup, the whole Camden High gym laughed and jeered. Milt Wagner said the expectations that surround D.J. The son of a former NBA player, he's a key contributor with the Philadelphia 76ers now, averaging 9.2 points per game off the bench. Bogues told us he still watches the league today and is a fan. . Wagner at the start of his high school career are similar to the excitement in the city when Dajuan Wagner took the court for the Panthers in the fall of 1997. Allen, who played at Shawnee High in Medford, started 73 games for the 2002-03 Miami Heat in his second professional season. AAU Team: NJ Scholars. The Elizabeth native, known for an ever-present headband after he suffered a serious head injury as a child, played for eight different teams during his 12-season career. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and while he is just entering his prime, he has already earned his lofty spot on this list. There is no bigger name in this hoops loving city, where over the decades "Wagner" has become synonymous with championships. Lines forms outside the gymnasium long before they take the court. Players/Teams - Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame The Plainfield native was a college superstar, leading Duke to a NCAA championship (2001) and winning the Naismith Player of the Year Award (2002). He was an eighth-grader competing for a middle school championship the first time he played a real game on the court at Camden High School. So, on the fly, he did a 360-degree turn and threw an alley-oop pass behind his neck. Rick Brunson changes course, returns as Camden basketball coach Wagner is one of the few players that have won national titles in high school, college and in the NBA. I tell him thats what determines great players. 5 min read. The explosive 6-foot-3 guard once scored 100 points in a game. As a freshman, Wagner averaged 18.5 points en route to earning MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors. The chemistry the team had was built years prior. And they all started here in Camden, a city slowly rising from industrial decline and urban despair whose identity is wrapped around Camden High basketball. Dalembert's journey took him from Haiti to St. Patrick's of Elizabeth to Seton Hall and then anywhere in the NBA where a GM needed a big body. West, a Teaneck native, has turned down millions in pursuit of the one thing he has lacked in his career: A championship ring. He underwent surgery to have a portion of his colon removed, and by 2006 he was out of the league. Looking back on their departure to Brooklyn. Dajuan Wagner - Wikipedia Across town, over at the Cecil Kirk Recreation Center, David Wingate, a future Charlotte Hornet, and Reggie Lewis, future captain of the Boston Celtics, were putting on a show. But photos of . In one game against DeMatha, Muggsy went up for a layup, but was trapped by two defenders in mid-air. In 81-82, the Poets stars consisted of two pairs of close childhood friends. "Puts consistent pressure on opposing defenses with his handle, first step and smooth change of pace game, as well as his improved shooting and playmaking ability.". He wasthe team's second-leading scorer on March 2, 1962, with 17 points. I think he did well, Milt Wagner said of D.J. His undying dedication to his players paid off. [18] However, the league folded days later, after it was discovered that the founder was a con artist. Winning comes first with me and I want to help Kentucky win as much as possible.". 25. We had so much feedback on the list that we decided to take another swing at the ranking, added several players that readers rightly said were missing. 1 and it isn't Bronny", "Son of former Memphis star Dajuan Wagner excels at USA", "Basketball is a Passion Three Generations in the Making for Dajuan Wagner Jr", "Boys basketball: D.J. The duo played a lot in rec leagues, and their main competition was the team from the Cecil projects. Milt Wagner said his conversations with his grandson dont focus on any technical aspects of the sport. The Newark native's career began humbly at Burlington County College ended with 658 career games in the NBA. Ford, who played at Holy Family Spirit High in Absecon, is better known as a head coach than as a player. With families sometimes struggling to make ends meet, the one thing these kids could count on was a ball and a hoop, and their local rec league team tearing it up. Franco Harris, Joe Theisman and other stars. The primary knock against Ayton is that he wants more. Theyre like coach, we need you, but were happy for you. and the Wagner basketball legacy before he starts his climb up the basketball pyramid. joined him at practice. He played on six teams over end seasons and was out of the NBA at 26. I got parents crying, he said. Eric Daniel Brunson [1] (born June 14, 1972) is an American basketball coach for the New York Knicks and former professional player. But it is truly part of our fabric," Carstarphen says. The Panthers' victory, however, came with a side of controversy. Wagner, the No. You can also contact him at 856-486-2431. He unfurled one of the most famous performances in Camden basketball history as a senior in 1981, scoring 52 against a DeMatha (Md.) CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Youre all good parents, I got the best parents. Now they will do battle in an unexpected series. At the rec center, a certain, shorter, high-energy player drew his attention. DJ Wagner the No. FindNJ.com on Facebook. The city threw a victory parade for the Panthers, as well as three other city teams that won championships in other sports. This page was last edited on 25 April 2023, at 22:03. "He said he would be with me until the wheels fall off the car either way. I would say I dont see anyone quite like the game I played but Patrick (Beverley) and Rondo are the closest.. Notes: Knox is the brother of former UK and current NBA player Kevin Knox; . June 23, 2022. Bogues, who was around 11 or 12 years old at the time, could keep up with all the older kids, despite the height disparity. The. [12] He contributed with 16 points in the title game against South Carolina and at the end of the season he earned several NIT and conference honors, including the MVP award of the 2002 NIT. And that meant so much to me. Dunbar won the Baltimore City Schools championship and went on to win the state title finishing the year a pristine 29-0. Wagner (left), his grandfather Milt Wagner (center) and his father Dajuan after Camden's 72-52 win over Gratz on Friday. Youve lived your life. For family of basketball stars, Camden's Dajuan Wagner Jr. proving best Featuring four future NBA players, the Dunbar Poets from 1981-1983 have made their case to be the best high school basketball team of all time. J." I gave them my word, Im totally committed, Brunson said. While the winter season is up in the air because of COVID, Brunson is thrilled to represent the purple and gold once again. Joe Girard COP Highlights 2 4,559 views 3:26. D.J. I grew up with five brothers and sisters all having different fathers. Milt Wagner grew up in Camden and played in the city's youth leagues. The only place he wanted to be was Camden. Confirm that your trade proposal is valid according to the NBA collective bargaining agreement. Melchionni, who starred at Bishop Eustace Prep in Pennsauken, was a reserve on the 1967 NBA champion 76ers before moving to the ABA, where he played seven years for the Nets. WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor. A report by New Jersey Advance Media alleged that Camden violated state rules by recruiting the out-of-district players and offering them low-cost tuition deals unavailable to other students. New coach, same dominance: Camden basketball wins season opener - Yahoo 91; 247Sports Composite . Their legacy of producing four NBA players off the same team only makes the team's high school accomplishments more special as time passes. Muggsy Bogues was a legend in Charlotte Hornets franchise history, and the engine of the greatest high school basketball team to ever play the game. Born in Caldwell, Henderson was the No. Boasting four future NBA players, the Poets took the life out of their opponents and their gyms. in that heritage. Thompson spent this past season overseas playing for the Shandong Golden Stars in China's CBA. According to the report, the average cost to educate a student in the magnet schools attended by the basketball players is $22,348. Hes a respectful kid. "Going to the NBA is almost like hitting the lottery," Miller says. Wade could sense the talent in Muggsy and his friends, and he knew that all of these guys would be in high school around the same time. Milt Wagner, a legendary Camden High basketball player who won an NCAA title at Louisville and an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, watched his son . Steve Politi | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Looking back on their departure to Brooklyn, Derek Jeter, Mike Trout and other stars top the list, He helped bring down an athletic department, Steve Pikiell's team showing signs of progress, Franco Harris, Joe Theisman and other stars. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Share & Export. . Indeed if Muggsy had never believed in himself, if he had never visualized what he could become he wouldnt be the player and man he is today. The team was undefeated in his sophomore year, but the state championship tournament was again cancelled due to the pandemic. This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 2000s is a stub. He came up with the idea and got buy-in from his sponsor Nike and city officials, says his mother Syreeta Brittingham, who hopes the party will become an annual event "to honor D.J. "I am basically a shy person.". Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. All of a sudden, there was a lot of money involved in high school basketball. He finished with 999 career assists. But most of Camden's factories shut down long ago, choking off key routes to working-class prosperity and helping to trigger an exodus.