But what no one knew at the time what no one dared dream . Help support local journalism with a Courier Post subscription. The 2016 Rookie of the Year has started all of the 164 games in his career so far, and last season averaged 25.1 points and 12.3 rebounds for the Timberwolves. "This is a poor city; it was really, really bad at one time," says Kevin Cooke, who attended The High in the 1980s. 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). 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. ET. [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]. Theyre great. It's still an imperfect list, but it's closer to the true ranking. And a trip back to Muggsys roots revealed the foundation for such a team. ClutchPoints was able to catch up briefly with Muggsy Bogues recently. Dajuan Marquett "D. And that's what we're gunning for with this project. WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor. 25. 786. 167 Players. Wagner was named New Jersey's high school basketball player of the year. The flamboyant Rodman is a five-time NBA champion, a two-time defensive player of the year and arguably the greatest rebounder in the sport's history, averaging 13.1 rebounds a game during 14-year career. The Roselle Park native won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 1975 and was named NBA Finals MVP. UPDATED -- 6/21. It kept hitting me, those kids dreams are more important than yours, Brunson said. Not one of em said can you reconsider., More: Coping with death: Camden senior Alijah Clark uses football to carry on in tragic year. Eric Daniel Brunson [1] (born June 14, 1972) is an American basketball coach for the New York Knicks and former professional player. D.J. Unlike many of his peers, he posts sparingly on social media. Before D.J. Wagner to make history, Men's college basketball rosters: Comings and goings for 2023-24, 2023 No. Each era has its uniqueness. The Newark native's career began humbly at Burlington County College ended with 658 career games in the NBA. But the pandemic halted the school's drive for a state championship. He played nine seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and has also worked as an assistant coach for several teams. "I think because there is so much negativity talked about in Camden, the game became more important," he says. Verga went from St. Rose High School in Belmar to Duke, where he set a scoring record, to the ABA in 1967. joined him at practice. "He said he would be with me until the wheels fall off the car either way. Still, if we included players who came to the state for college, it wouldn't really be a New Jersey list. Each era has its uniqueness. It was just as big when Juannie came in, Milt Wagner said. Leaving the Panthers felt more like a nightmare. "Going to the NBA is almost like hitting the lottery," Miller says. His time on the Hornets is still well-remembered, with Bogues holding the franchise records for career assists and steals as of 2021. And it was that disrespect that drew Muggsy to basketball. He's only getting better, too. 91; 247Sports Composite . Camden named a street outside the school after the team's first big star, Ron "Itchy" Smith. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Wagner Jr. (born May 4, 2005) is an American basketball player who attends Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey. Still disagree? the former Temple standout and NBA player, coached the Panthers, who . Wright was arguably the greatest athlete Newark has ever produced. Trust me, he got a lot of his dad, Milt Wagner said of his grandson. He has verbally committed to play at the University of Kentucky. "To see everybody in those shirts walking around out here, that means a lot to me," he tells the audience. But college recruiting was no easy field. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Brunson, a nine-year NBA veteran who served as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats and Minnesota Timberwolves before joining the Panthers, is the reigning South Jersey Coach of the Year. That goes back the credit to his mom (Syreeta Brittingham) and dad, they raised him well. 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. Mar 4, 2021, 11:30am. And he made it a point to steep 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. 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. Everyone says thats your calling and Im like yeah, yeah, yeah, Brunson said. Camden's school superintendent is a former cheerleader at The High. The Newark native has appeared in 752 games in the NBA during his career, averaging 10.3 points and 2.8 assists. Only two players in NBA history have done it and they are both named Wilt Chamberlain. "I am basically a shy person.". Noticing that players would start to falter defensively in the second half, he would have his players hold bricks while doing their workouts and sprints. Lines forms outside the gymnasium long before they take the court. 3 in the nation at the Seagull Classic at Holy Spirit. David Wingate left for Georgetown at seasons end, and guard Gary Graham went to UNLV. CAMDEN The signals keep mounting that Joel Embiid will not be available for Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals Monday due to a sprained right knee ligament. 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. This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 2000s is a stub. First I got to see my son play and then its like reincarnation all over again, watch him do the same thing. [7] Wagner is considered by many to be the greatest high school basketball player in New Jersey history. It's evidence of a family legacy that he has both inherited and made his own. When I accomplish something, Camden is accomplishing something.". … It brought me to call Camden back and say I think I made a mistake. Wagner and Bronny James, two of the top players in the class of 2023, according to a Masslive.com report. 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 . He was drafted 6th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2002 NBA draft . D.J. "I wear Camden on my chest wherever I go. "But to see a kid like that doing something for himself and doing something for the community is a great thing. Today, many of its rowhouse neighborhoods are gap-toothed, marked by vacant homes and litter-strewn lots. He appeared in more than 400 games, mostly with the Clippers, and averaged 8.2 points a game. Govan, who grew up in Jersey City, has the distinction of being only one of six players who played in each of the ABA's nine seasons. Add you thoughts in the comments section or send them directly to columnist Steve Politi atspoliti@njadvancemedia.com. Two coaches also received suspensions. On October 12, 2015, he attempted to return to basketball and planned to sign with the AmeriLeague. Todays players are skilled, large but agileThe game is faster today. Wagner is the son of Milt Wagner, who was a second-round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. 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. Do you have a blog? Camden High School, Camden (NJ) Basketball Players - RealGM Wiping out every opponent, Dunbar was so good that they felt their practices were more intense than actual games. 11 by MaxPreps, but that was not the reason Brunson felt compelled to return. ", 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. For Milt Wagner, the feeling was familiar. You can also contact him at 856-486-2431. "I wouldn't have thought it would [have] ever been a doubt," says Wasim Muhammad, who heads the school advisory board. But despite his NBA success, Bogues best memories playing basketball were actually long before. Above all else, believe in yourself and your dreams. In one game against DeMatha, Muggsy went up for a layup, but was trapped by two defenders in mid-air. Wagner impresses in debut as Camden rolls to season-opening win", "Camden opens basketball season with victory over Gratz", "New Camden basketball coach Rick Brunson sees himself in players: 'I was that kid', "Camden is NJ.com's Boys Basketball Team of the Year, 2019-2020", "MaxPreps 2019-20 Boys Basketball Freshman All-American Team", "Reed Sheppard in the new national rankings, and more Kentucky basketball recruiting links", "No. Notes: Knox is the brother of former UK and current NBA player Kevin Knox; . But Wagner can't stay in Camden forever. Steve Pikiell's team showing signs of progress. Get table as CSV (for Excel) Get Link to Table. Wagner (left), his grandfather Milt Wagner (center) and his father Dajuan after Camden's 72-52 win over Gratz on Friday. This one is easy: The Newark native is one of the greatest centers in the history of the sport, a four-time NBA champion and a three-time NBA Finals MVP who scored 28,596 points in his career, more than all but seven players in league history. He won all seven state titles between 1974-87, a remarkable run of great players, great teams and great moments. CAMDEN, WHICH SITS on nine square miles just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, was once renowned as a manufacturing hub, churning out products from Navy vessels and RCA Victor phonographs to Campbell's soup. Get the latest UK news sent straight to your inbox with our FREE email newsletter! Many recruiters were known to be corrupt, Bogues told us he still watches the league today and is a fan. A player can qualify for this list in twoways: 1. The slender 6-foot-5 shooting guard led the Panthers to the 1979 New Jersey state championship before going on to star for the Louisville Cardinals, leading them to three Final Fours and the 1986 national championship. The house would be packed with hundreds of onlookers to see Bogues, Williams, Wingate, and Lewis go at it. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame honoree was a part of eight NBA championships with the Boston Celtics as a player and two more as a coach. No one knows your passion or heart like you do.. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 4:39AM. 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.) The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Allegations of cheating are not unusual in high school sports, even if they are infrequently upheld. 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. In a stunning turnaround, the same crowd that had been laughing at his size just hours before was now chanting his name. Not many dispute it. [2][4] In his junior year he was already considered one of the top players of his class. Wagner attended Camden High School, where he played with the varsity team freshman year. When Dajuan started helping the Panthers, D.J. If he was on a fast break, he might have David Wingate open, but Muggsy was passing to his friend Reggie Williams instead. The game is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 16. But if it is proved that Camden broke the rules, the Panthers could face serious consequences. The NBA might have deserted New Jersey a few years ago, but that doesn't mean the state has stopped producing many of its best players. 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. The team started looking out for each other, and ego no longer was an issue. "That is the bright light in our city that everybody gets behind.". "We are just out here to have fun, to have a good day and enjoy our time.". That is like all we got here: Camden High School basketball. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. . They rarely played against each other, or wanted to. That year, Muggsy averaged eight points, eight assists, and eight steals per game as the offensive initiator and the defensive disruptor. [8][9], Wagner considered offers from Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis and Miami (FL),[10] and signed with Memphis in June 2000. Its rumored that Coach Wade laid a punch or two on recruiters who tried to do his players dirty. 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. He's played eight seasons in the NBA. (79 kg). , I love the game today, he said. The Panthers won their second straight Group 4 state title. Wagner has said he plans to attend college before going pro. Its an unbelievable feeling.. People here call that more than coincidence. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. 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. "I take a lot of pride in playing for Camden," he says. [16][17] Averaging 8.3 points in six games, he returned to South Jersey after hurting his hip and reinjuring his knee in Poland. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. All content 2000-2023 RealGM, L.L.C. 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 . The Camden (N.J.) 5-star combo guard is the second straight Kentucky signee to win the award, following Cason Wallace, who took home the honor in 2021. Wingate, Lewis, and Reggie Williams all transferred to Dunbar, but Muggsy was held up a year in 1980. Like every top high school senior in the country, he will soon have to prove himself beyond the safe embrace of home. They had met back in Muggyss hometown when he was back at his old high school, before his NBA fame and retirement. This was Turner's last state championship team. Get as Excel Workbook. 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. Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. The Teaneck High graduate played in the NBA from 1984-97 and won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 1988. Thats unbelievable, Milt Wagner said. Well, these have been two ridiculous seasons for the Piscataway native and St. Joseph's (Metuchen) star. 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. Wagner recorded 4 points and 1 assist. and the Wagner basketball legacy before he starts his climb up the basketball pyramid. All of a sudden, there was a lot of money involved in high school basketball. 1 in the 2023 rankings, Wagner finishes ranked No. Thats what I noticed at Camden High.. And Wagner's decision of where to play next doesn't just impact him. He isn't a star, but he has proven himself to be a valuable bench player on eight teams. There is a more holistic power Jimmy Butler has access to, involving his fearlessness and his great strategic intelligence but not limited to these things. Many recruiters were known to be corrupt, especially as drug dealers started to sponsor basketball teams in the area. "Honestly, when our basketball program is going, you can see the difference in the community. He was born in Jersey City and played at St. Michael's High School in Union City, and in 1957 was named NBA Rookie of the Year ahead of teammate Bill Russell. [2] For his senior year he debuted on December 15 scoring 36 points against Eastern, followed by a 50-points performance against Bishop Eustace. Bogues went No. He also broke the record for points in a single season for Memphis with 762. "There is no better feeling in the world.". Dajuan Marquett Wagner Sr. (born February 4, 1983) is an American former professional basketball player. I can relate to these kids. "Coach John Calipariwas always straightforward and honest with me," Wagner said. Last year, when Camden County needed help getting more people vaccinated against COVID-19, it called on D.J. Dajuan Wagner scored a state-record, 3,462 points in his Camden career. Steve Politi may be reached atspoliti@njadvancemedia.com. He finished six points shy of 8,000 for his career, and then became one of the top players for the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. Wagner, take the court, wearing his fathers old No. I fell in love with the community, the fans, the students., More: South Jersey Football Mean 15 Rankings for Nov. 8. He was born here. [4], In his first game, December 20, 2019, in front of a capacity crowd that waited more than an hour to try to get admission into the game,[5] Wagner scored 15 points despite missing 6 of his first 7 field goal attempts. In an era when many elite ballplayers choose to attend sports-first private schools or jump from school to school in search of better competition and more shine, Wagner says he never thought of playing anywhere else. But the crowd that filled the Sky Lounge, now, celebrated him for his off-court character and who he had become as a person. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Wagner stands 6-foot-1 but has a loose-limbed build and youthful features. SPECIAL THANKS to Dave D'Alessandro, the longtime NBAwriter at The Star-Ledger, who is without a doubt New Jersey's finest all-time basketballwriter. The game was played on November 11, 2006 with the Warriors defeating the Detroit Pistons 111 - 79. 1 prospect D.J. Updated on Jun 5, 2019, 12:14 p.m. Camden closed last season on a 25-game winning streak, was named the South Jersey Team of the Year and. Milt Wagner, who lives in Louisville, praised his grandsons performance in his Camden debut. Also: N.J.'s 50 greatest baseball players. CAMDEN, NJ - The Camden High School community honored one of its best basketball players of all time on Friday night over 60 years after he graduated. Bogues had to spend his freshman year at Southern High an hour away from the Lafayette projects. The basketball, his dad has that and the kid has a lot of natural tools, Milt Wagner said. His backstory -- he was raised by a lesbian couple in the city -- became a compelling narrative after he was drafted in the first round in 2011. Bogues told us he still watches the league today and is a fan. High school career [ edit] The Lafayette projects were just a quick stroll away from Dunbar High, and Wade knew of the troubles and struggles that his kids faced on a daily basis. His feisty and fast-paced style of play has no doubt influenced the league in the modern era. [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. The 7-footer from Union Citywas part of the franchise's 1974 championship and played for nine seasons in the NBA. He finished with 999 career assists. Williams headed to Georgetown, Reggie Lewis went to play for Northeastern, and Muggsy attended Wake Forest. The 6-foot-11 forward, who grew up in Sparta and starred at nearby Delbarton before becoming a college star at Notre Dame, averaged a double-doublein five of his 12 NBA seasons. I gave them my word, Im totally committed, Brunson said. Boasting four future NBA players, the Poets took the life out of their opponents and their gyms.