FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Some experts are predicting Arkansas guard DJ Wagner to have a big year.
That’s just like Razorback fans with expectations high for new goals in John Calipari’s second season.
CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter has listed him among the players to watch as a two-year breakout candidate as we spend summers ranking everything in every sport it seems.
Wagner played in every game for the Razorbacks last season, starting all of them and racking up a lot of minutes. Even when some of his teammates were hurt, Wagner was on the court and scoring an average of 11.2 points per game. He also had 2.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1 steal each game.
Wagner is known for playing strong defense. His offense still needs some work and has likely been a focus in the offseason. Last season, he shot 40% from the field and made just over 30 percent of his three-point shots. During tough stretches, his play was steady, but experts say he needs to improve if Arkansas wants to win more.
One thing Wagner is working on is making better decisions with the ball. Last season, more than 20 percent of his pick-and-roll plays ended in a turnover. He sometimes lost the ball to the other team. Experts say cutting down on turnovers is important if he wants to help his team more.
Wagner is also working on being more aggressive when driving to the basket. Even though he is strong and quick, he did not get fouled much last season. In 23 games, he drew one or no fouls while shooting. Coaches want him to slow down, use his strength, and try to get to the free-throw line more often.
When his teammates Boogie Fland and Adou Thiero were injured, Wagner stepped up. During those games, he scored an average of 14 points and had nearly 4 assists. Arkansas won three out of their last four regular season games and made it to the second round of the SEC Tournament.
Wagner first played college basketball at Kentucky. As a freshman, he scored 9.9 points a game. When Calipari moved to Arkansas, Wagner transferred too. Now, he is hoping to grow as a player and leader for the Razorbacks.
Arkansas has some new talented players joining the team this year. Two five-star guards, Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas, will play with Wagner. Another talented guard, Isaiah Sealy, is also joining. Wagner’s experience will be important as the team works together.
Experts say Wagner needs to become a better shooter and make smarter choices during games. If he can do that, he could score even more points and help Arkansas win. He could also help his younger teammates learn and get better.
Calipari and the Razorbacks are counting on Wagner to have a big season. They believe he can help the team reach its goals. If he keeps working hard and improves his game, Wagner could become one of the best players on the team.
Now, Wagner is focused on getting better every day. He wants to help Arkansas have a great season. Many fans and coaches are excited to see what he can do this year.
