A motorcycle accident after his rookie season ended what could have been a brilliant NBA career. 5 min read. If you have or know of an interesting story to tell, reach out on Twitter at @JFriedman57 or via email at jfriedman2@gannettnj.com. Verga went from St. Rose High School in Belmar to Duke, where he set a scoring record, to the ABA in 1967. The basketball, his dad has that and the kid has a lot of natural tools, Milt Wagner said. Get the latest UK news sent straight to your inbox with our FREE email newsletter! He carries a family name that brings pressure, built up over three generations, as well as the lofty expectations of a community that already salutes him as a star. He has languished on some bad teams during his 12 years as a pro, including the woeful Brooklyn Nets last season. He started all 20 games for the Miami Heat during their 2011 playoff run that ended with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. The 7-footer from Union Citywas part of the franchise's 1974 championship and played for nine seasons in the NBA. Rutgers fans, however, will never forget his stint as part of the basketball staff, which led to the Mike Rice fiasco. 25. Bogues, who was around 11 or 12 years old at the time, could keep up with all the older kids, despite the height disparity. And it was that disrespect that drew Muggsy to basketball. Just 14, he probably isnt finished growing. There will be no more rumors, never, ever. "I have known DJ his entire life and Ive always wanted to coach him," head coach John Calipari said in November. People still talk to me about that game," Milt Wagner said. When Lewis went No. Abandoned industrial sites dominate other parts of the city, and much of the downtown is eerily quiet, even during business hours. California residents do not sell my data request. 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. . The annual HoopHall Classic, which brings together many of the . Theyre great. He was born here. He led the Panthers to a 29-1 record and their first South Jersey Group 2 title since 2017. This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 2000s is a stub. The sport became their safe haven, and the indoor recreation center their sanctuary. 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. It wasnt about the team, he said. The Lenape High graduate went from Rider University to the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. He is averaging 15.0 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. "Once we got it started, I wasn't just representing the Wagner name, I was representing our city," Wagner says. He finished the season averaging 35.3 points per game,[2] and won the ESPN Sophomore of the Year award. 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. That goes back the credit to his mom (Syreeta Brittingham) and dad, they raised him well. Or write about sports? chuckles Carstarphen, who spent six years coaching at The High before going into politics. "He said he would be with me until the wheels fall off the car either way. His time on the Hornets is still well-remembered, with Bogues holding the franchise records for career assists and steals as of 2021. Phil Anastasia prefers standing on the sidelines at high school football games on Friday nights to sitting in the press box at Eagles games on Sunday afternoons . ", 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. There will be no more rumors, is he leaving next year. Regardless of the investigation, Camden is ready for another championship, another season of glory for D.J. This page was last edited on 25 April 2023, at 22:03. "I got drafted but winning the state championship for my city, that was the best," Dajuan told SLAM Magazine in 2020. When I accomplish something, Camden is accomplishing something.". Wagner scored 15 points, making a pair of three-pointers, as Camden beat a Gratz team that entered play with an 8-0 record. This is tricky, because several great players such as Luol Deng only stayed in New Jersey briefly. 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. Milt Wagner said his conversations with his grandson dont focus on any technical aspects of the sport. The Jersey City native became a college star at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to back-to-back NCAA titles as their floor general. That is like all we got here: Camden High School basketball. Follow him on Twitter@StevePoliti. In these cases, the average was taken. [6] He went on to score 50 or more points 4 more times during the season, and averaged 42.5 points in 29 games played as a senior. "But it gives people here a sense of hope and pride that D.J. They rarely played against each other, or wanted to. Also: N.J.'s 50 greatest baseball players. Wagner is only a senior at Camden High School. He finished six points shy of 8,000 for his career, and then became one of the top players for the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. The man who had the unenviable task of replacing Bill Russell on the Boston Celtics eventually became a fan favorite in the city. [2] For his senior year he debuted on December 15 scoring 36 points against Eastern, followed by a 50-points performance against Bishop Eustace. He's only getting better, too. David Wingate left for Georgetown at seasons end, and guard Gary Graham went to UNLV. But if it is proved that Camden broke the rules, the Panthers could face serious consequences. Just as a stunned crowd in a Camden High gym did almost 40 years earlier. UPDATED: Ranking New Jersey's 50 greatest basketball players Camden High School, Camden (NJ) Basketball Players - RealGM the Wagners could become the first family with three generations of McDonald's All-Americans and NBA players. He played before the three-point shot was added to the high school game or his career-point total would have been much higher. Add you thoughts in the comments section or send them directly to columnist Steve Politi atspoliti@njadvancemedia.com. I gave them my word, Im totally committed, Brunson said. Select the first team from the drop down menu. I was being, in my opinion, selfish. Brunson is back for this season and the foreseeable future. On Friday, Milt Wagner watched his grandson, D.J. Catholic team that was ranked No. The time off which was longer than the All-Star break and extended when the . Wilt Chamberlain had 100. They retired his No. Wiping out every opponent, Dunbar was so good that they felt their practices were more intense than actual games. The Panthers won their second straight Group 4 state title. Coach Bob Wade had found success as head coach of the Dunbar High Poets. AAU Team: NJ Scholars. Many recruiters were known to be corrupt, Bogues told us he still watches the league today and is a fan. He wasthe team's second-leading scorer on March 2, 1962, with 17 points. Camden closed last season on a 25-game winning streak, was named the South Jersey Team of the Year and finished No. Muggsy was the spark that made the whole team go, and his infectious energy led their fast-paced attack. CAMDEN, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Rick Brunson is bringing the same fire and intensity he did as a star player at Temple University and in the NBA to Camden High School, as the new boys' basketball coach. Before he inherited his winningest teams, Wade would walk over to watch the kids in the area play. His jump shot is off, but he still wows the crowd with his quick rushes up the court, stutter-step moves and his uncanny ability to snake through the lane. Bogues told us he still watches the league today and is a fan. But it is truly part of our fabric," Carstarphen says. Whenever Lafayette and Cecil went up against each other, the whole city would come and fill the gym. Eric Daniel Brunson [1] (born June 14, 1972) is an American basketball coach for the New York Knicks and former professional player. While he only played in the NBA for one season, many believed that Hill --one of the greatest basketball players in Newark history -- was reportedly blackballed by the 1961-62 St. Louis Hawks in order to let the star white players score more points. DJ Wagner named Iverson Classic High School Player of the Year It was just as big when Juannie came in, Milt Wagner said. ET. Im like really? The duo played a lot in rec leagues, and their main competition was the team from the Cecil projects. He played one year of college basketball at the University of Memphis. Dajuan Wagner - Wikipedia He was drafted 6th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2002 NBA draft. Choose at least two teams from the menus below to start your trade. 786. The Newark native and Weequahic High graduate earned the nickname as "The Destroyer" for his defensive talents while with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors. High school basketball: Every player to average 40 points - MaxPreps Now they will do battle in an unexpected series. 167 Players. Camden's Cornelius Robinson puts up a shot during the 4th quarter of the boys basketball game between Lenape and Camden played at Camden High School on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. (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. 21 jersey in Camdens season-opener vs. Philadelphia Public League power Simon Gratz. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The West Orange native was the No. 2 recruit Holland decommits from Texas, Butler transfer Lukosius commits to Cincinnati, New Big Ten boss Petitti ready to lead 'new era', Penn's Dingle, top Ivy League player, to transfer, Utah Valley's Bandaogo entering transfer portal, Memphis' Hardaway hires Stansbury as assistant, Top guard transfer Abmas commits to Longhorns, Duke moves up to No. 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. Allen, who played at Shawnee High in Medford, started 73 games for the 2002-03 Miami Heat in his second professional season. Hes a respectful kid. When he became a Panther, Wagner says, he realized just how much the city wrapped itself around the team. Brunson was inundated with calls after word leaked he was leaving, but the city only gave him love, which was another reason he couldnt bring himself to leave. I made a mistake. 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. And he made it a point to steep D.J. In 81-82, the Poets stars consisted of two pairs of close childhood friends. You cant let anyone dictate what you can do or who you should be, Bogues asserted. The Millstonenative and St. Benedict's Prep (Newark) graduate has had his ups and downs during his NBA career, but was named the league's Sixth Man of the Year in 2013. He underwent surgery to have a portion of his colon removed, and by 2006 he was out of the league. Wright was arguably the greatest athlete Newark has ever produced. The Plainfield native was a college superstar, leading Duke to a NCAA championship (2001) and winning the Naismith Player of the Year Award (2002). After being one of five finalists for Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year, Kentucky signee DJ Wagner was named Iverson Classic National High School Player of the Year. People here call that more than coincidence. Wagner has committed to the University of Kentucky, joining Big Blue Nation for the 2023-24 season. I didnt have a dad, I grew up without a dad so I can relate to these kids. CAMDEN, N.J. -- On a sunny Saturday just before the start of the school year, hundreds of people flock to Wiggins Waterfront Park for a block party. And that's what we're gunning for with this project. The Roselle native was never an All-Star in the NBA but he was, for stretches of his career, a prolific scorer. Wagner, who signed with the Wildcats during the early period, chose Kentucky over archrival Louisville. ", He jokes with teammates, poses for photos and signs autographs for fans young and old. Help support local journalism with a Courier Post subscription. Same hype. Two coaches also received suspensions. That's when not even he could take another game . Camden High starts playoffs ranked in top 20 in U.S. WHYY Who did we rank too high? McCaffery: In Doc Rivers, Sixers enjoy a golden advantage over Celtics By the time he got to The High, the son was prepared to continue the Wagner tradition. "Coach John Calipariwas always straightforward and honest with me," Wagner said. Compounding matters, they finished second in the state tournament eight times between 2001 and 2017. "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.". The game was played on November 11, 2006 with the Warriors defeating the Detroit Pistons 111 - 79. [15] That one game that Wagner played with Golden State ended up being the only game he played in the 2006 - 2007 season and the final game of his NBA career. He became the second youngest player to enter a game in NBA history when he first stepped on the court in 1975, but skipping college out of Dwight Morrow High in Englewood might not have been the best decision. The following year, in the 1982-83 season, Dunbar picked up right where they left off, and further solidified themselves as a national powerhouse. Winning comes first with me and I want to help Kentucky win as much as possible.". High School Basketball Players Who Had 100-Point Games Tony Adame Scoring 100 points in a basketball game is an amazing feat for any player. He led the Panthers to a 29-1 record in 2019-20, including a season-ending, 25-game winning streak. Purdue doesn't need a superstar to be a top-10 team next season. Only two players in NBA history have done it and they are both named Wilt Chamberlain. There is no bigger name in this hoops loving city, where over the decades "Wagner" has become synonymous with championships. The 6-10 forward with a soft-shooting touch from Paterson never quite lived up to the lofty expectations when he arrived in the NBA, but he played for seven different teams during a productive 13-year NBA career. … I want to put my dreams on hold to make sure my kids who I started with reached their dreams.. Wagner is the son of Milt Wagner, who was a second-round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. High school basketball: Bronny James, D.J. Wagner, Jett - MaxPreps 1979 (25-4). He is the son of former University of Louisville and National Basketball Association (NBA) player Milt Wagner [1] and left the NBA early into his career because of debilitating health problems. Through the decades, the school everyone here simply calls "The High" has won 12 state championships in boys basketball, the most of any public school in New Jersey, and been runners-up another 16 times. 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. He played one season at the University of Memphis and was the No. Wagner. As recently as 1970, Camden was majority white, but the city is now 93% Black and Hispanic. Find out more. I think it helped elevate my profile.". And a trip back to Muggsys roots revealed the foundation for such a team. joined him at practice. That time is now over. Camden faces big test with powerhouse Montverde (Fla.) at Metro Classic 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. Youre all good parents, I got the best parents. As a freshman, Wagner averaged 18.5 points en route to earning MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors. The Newark native's career began humbly at Burlington County College ended with 658 career games in the NBA. They want you to mold them to be a man, and if they trust you, they give it. The 48-year-old Washington Township resident reached out to the school and rescinded his resignation. Few schoolboy players were more thrilling to watch than the Camden native, who scored 100 points in a game and led his public-school team to a state title. The national player of the year honor is the latest accolade for Wagner, who, along with fellow future Wildcat Justin Edwards, was named Co-MVP of the Iverson Classic as Team Loyalty defeated Team Honor 131-124 at Kean University in Union, N.J. Saturday night. He was one of the inaugural members of the FIBA Hall of Fame and, in 2017, the eight-time Greek League champion was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. He is the son of former University of Louisville and National Basketball Association (NBA) player Milt Wagner[1] and left the NBA early into his career because of debilitating health problems. You got The High!" People of all ages pack the bleachers at home games and a large contingent of Panthers fans follows the team on the road. It didn't end well for the big Plainsboro native, who the Los Angeles Lakers surprisingly made a first-round pick out of St. Joseph (Metuchen) in 2005. But the city is trying to rebuild. Derek Jeter, Mike Trout and other stars top the list. It just kind of flows over.". Two of the team's star players were from 70 miles north of Camden, and one lived in a house owned by Wagner's father, Dajuan, a former Camden star and NBA lottery pick. Wade was willing to do whatever it took to protect his players from the hostile, greed-infested environment outside of their gym. Not many dispute it. Kentucky, led by his father's college coach John Calipari, and Louisville, where his grandfather played and was hired in May to head basketball player development and alumni relations, are widely seen as the front-runners. [19], Wagner has been a resident of West Deptford Township, New Jersey.[20]. Fans look down from a walking track on a higher floor, intent on sizing Wagner up. He was born in Trenton before moving to Dallas as a child. On January 31, 2000 he scored 80 points (24 of which in the fourth quarter) in a 12266 win against Pennsauken Tech. Camden earned New Jersey Boys Basketball Team of the Year honors by NJ.com.[8]. Yet, in the days following his decision, he couldnt sleep. 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. Attles is still an ambassador for the Golden State franchise. . More: 'Chase Street' on Amazon Prime is passion project for former Camden basketball star. List of basketball players who have scored 100 points in a single game, List of second-generation National Basketball Association players, List of people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, "Wagner signs with Warriors after two years out of NBA", "Camden's Dajuan Wagner still hears about his 100-point game in 2001", Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes - Philly.com, "Too Slick, Too Loud, Too Successful Why John Calipari Can't Catch A Break", "Tryout over: Warriors release little-used guard Wagner", "Dajuan Wagner Continues Comeback Signs With AmeriLeague", "AmeriLeague Founder Revealed As Con Artist", "Intestinal Fortitude; After surgery for colitis, Dajuan Wagner is trying to resume a career that once showed such promise", "Class of 2023 recruiting rankings headlined by DaJuan Wagner Jr., Mikey Williams and Bronny James", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dajuan_Wagner&oldid=1149170560, American expatriate basketball people in Poland, Basketball players from Camden, New Jersey, Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball), People from West Deptford Township, New Jersey, 21st-century African-American sportspeople, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 April 2023, at 15:41. there was Dajuan, and before Dajuan, there was Milt. High school, they give it all to you. Camden defeated Lenape, 76-64. In total, 12 Poets players went on to Division I basketball programs in college. He knows that to get the best of himself, he needs to be surrounded by other talented players who are going to match his competitive energy.". College, you mentor them and they want, theyre like, yo, he was where I want to be, they listen to you. NBA Players Born In Camden (NJ), United States - RealGM. [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. 7. "Honestly, when our basketball program is going, you can see the difference in the community. "I wouldn't have thought it would [have] ever been a doubt," says Wasim Muhammad, who heads the school advisory board. WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor. Since retiring in 2001, Muggsy has coached in the WNBA, coached high school basketball, and been a team ambassador for the Charlotte Hornets. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. [12], His coach, John Calipari, revoked Wagner's scholarship after his freshman year to force him to enter the NBA, because Calipari believed that Wagner should not avoid the money he would receive as a first-round draft pick.[13][14]. Wagner was chosen with the sixth overall pick of the 2002 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The house would be packed with hundreds of onlookers to see Bogues, Williams, Wingate, and Lewis go at it. This was Turner's last state championship team. Still, if we included players who came to the state for college, it wouldn't really be a New Jersey list. "I am basically a shy person.". "There is no better feeling in the world.". All rights reserved (About Us). The Perth Amboy native is a two-time ABA champion who successfully made the transition to the NBA, where he averaged a career-high 17 points a game for the Kansas City Kings in 1976. Born in Caldwell, Henderson was the No. But college recruiting was no easy field. Dajuan Marquett "D. J." Wagner Jr. (born May 4, 2005) is an American basketball player who attends Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey. Wagner is considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals . Carstarphen resigned after one season to focus on a run for Camden . Today, many of its rowhouse neighborhoods are gap-toothed, marked by vacant homes and litter-strewn lots. Averaging 40 points per game over the course of a season in high school basketball is hard. Coming into the tournament, the Scholars, which includes Wagner and three other Camden High players, is among the best on the summer circuit. They hope to see him on top someday, the biggest star Camden has produced in its long line of prodigies.
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