He also broke the record for points in a single season for Memphis with 762. 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 . All rights reserved. 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. They always had each others backs something Muggsy didnt get elsewhere on the court because of his size. [7] Wagner is considered by many to be the greatest high school basketball player in New Jersey history. Only two players in NBA history have done it and they are both named Wilt Chamberlain. Above all else, believe in yourself and your dreams. No more rumors until I decide to say, hey, Im leaving. He went on to play in 27 games his first season, averaging 27.3 points and recording a season-high of 45 points against Red Bank on February 13, 1998,[2] and at the end of the season he received the Freshman of the Year award from ESPN. He basically shoots like me, maybe hes built like me but he plays like his dad because he attacks that basket, either hand.. Camden named a street outside the school after the team's first big star, Ron "Itchy" Smith. Wagner, take the court, wearing his fathers old No. Milt Wagner grew up in Camden and played in the city's youth leagues. According to the report, the average cost to educate a student in the magnet schools attended by the basketball players is $22,348. Theyd have to toss aside former rivalries and childhood differences. Bibby, who was born in Cherry Hill before moving to California as a child, played in 1,001 NBA games and averaged 14.7 points. The familiar chant, "You want The High? The city threw a victory parade for the Panthers, as well as three other city teams that won championships in other sports. Purdue doesn't need a superstar to be a top-10 team next season. the Wagners could become the first family with three generations of McDonald's All-Americans and NBA players. Theyre like coach, we need you, but were happy for you. ", He jokes with teammates, poses for photos and signs autographs for fans young and old. They retired his No. 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. But photos of him peer down from a line of banners strung from lampposts along the redeveloped waterfront, and white T-shirts bear his name in purple and gold letters. in that heritage. 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. You got The High!" Camden defeated Lenape, 76-64. David Wingate left for Georgetown at seasons end, and guard Gary Graham went to UNLV. More: 'Chase Street' on Amazon Prime is passion project for former Camden basketball star. Trust me, he got a lot of his dad, Milt Wagner said of his grandson. Expanded Nav. 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. Bogues went No. At 17, D.J. [3], The following year he played in 28 games. the former Temple standout and NBA player, coached the Panthers, who . Bogues, who was around 11 or 12 years old at the time, could keep up with all the older kids, despite the height disparity. 167 Players. 1 player in the class of 2023, drops Bronny James before connecting on his jump shot. Wagner was chosen with the sixth overall pick of the 2002 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. D.J. He averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. The time off which was longer than the All-Star break and extended when the . Bogues told us he still watches the league today and is a fan. Yes, Shaquille O'Neal moved away before he could play high school basketball in New Jersey, but we know what his birth certificate says: Newark. Dajuan Marquett "D. He grew up here or attended high school here. Along the way, he played in nearly 800 games and twice played in the NBA Finals. 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. 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. Its why he recently submitted his resignation as Camden High Schools boys basketball coach. I think he did well, Milt Wagner said of D.J. D.J., a sleek, 6-3 combo guard, led a stacked Panthers squad to a state championship last season, averaging over 19 points a game. Yet, in the days following his decision, he couldnt sleep. [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. The Plainfield native was a college superstar, leading Duke to a NCAA championship (2001) and winning the Naismith Player of the Year Award (2002). The basketball, his dad has that and the kid has a lot of natural tools, Milt Wagner said. [2], On January 16, 2001 he scored 100 points against Camden County Tech. Attles is still an ambassador for the Golden State franchise. Carstarphen resigned after one season to focus on a run for Camden . 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. 6 pick in the NBA draft in 2002. On August 31, 2007, Wagner signed a one-year contract with Prokom Trefl Sopot in Poland. He finished his career at Camden as New Jersey . Wagner, who signed with the Wildcats during the early period, chose Kentucky over archrival Louisville. Joe Girard COP Highlights 2 4,559 views 3:26. He kept his composure and did what he had to do.. If anyone dropped a brick, everyone would have to start over. there was Dajuan, and before Dajuan, there was Milt. The former Camden star, who won an NCAA title at Louisville and an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, watched his highly-touted grandson score 15 points in his debut for the Panthers. Tools and Resources Used by Real General Managers. The 6-10 rebounding specialist played in 681 games with the red-white-and-blue ball, fourth-most among players who never appeared in the NBA. "That was a big thrill.". Son: A long family lineage continues as father Dajuan Wagner scored 3,451 career points and his grandfather Milt Wagner scored 2,003 career points, with both resulting in state championships for Camden. A tragic car accident during his rookie year with the Sacramento Kings devastated his chances of having an elite professional career. 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. As a freshman, he once scored 45 points in a game and as a senior he went for 100. He grew up in a Camden suburb and enrolled as a nonresident student at the Camden Big Picture Learning Academy, a city magnet school whose students can compete on Camden High sports teams. 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. I grew up with five brothers and sisters all having different fathers. Modify, Export & Share Table. The 6-11 center averaged 7.8 rebounds a game during his career, and used those long arms to become one of the league's most effective shot blockers. The Newark native's career began humbly at Burlington County College ended with 658 career games in the NBA. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dajuan_Wagner_Jr.&oldid=1151730067. . Do you have a sports website? I was being, in my opinion, selfish. During games, he sat next to his father on the bench, cheering on the players, sharing in their victories and defeats and soaking in the city's passion. Distanced both physically and figuratively, Bogues was itching until the day he could rejoin his friends. When Dajuan started helping the Panthers, D.J. He finished with 999 career assists. In the 1981-82 season, their biggest game came against the Camden High Panthers, the number-one ranked high school team in the nation. 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. Two coaches also received suspensions. He is also the answer to a trivia question: Who scored the first field goal in Miami Heat history? I tell him thats what determines great players. could potentially make it.". Putting a list together like this is an inexact science. Coming into the tournament, the Scholars, which includes Wagner and three other Camden High players, is among the best on the summer circuit. He said he is most proud of his grandsons team-first approach to the game. The game was played on November 11, 2006 with the Warriors defeating the Detroit Pistons 111 - 79. The powerful 6-foot-2 guard led the Panthers to a state championship in 2000 and was the top scorer for the Memphis Tigers during his lone collegiate season. The 48-year-old Washington Township resident reached out to the school and rescinded his resignation. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Who did we miss entirely? "Do I think I'd be mayor if I hadn't played?" All rights reserved. As recently as 1970, Camden was majority white, but the city is now 93% Black and Hispanic. Wagner stands 6-foot-1 but has a loose-limbed build and youthful features. The6-foot-11 center, nicknamed the Whopper, is a member of the ABA All-Time team. The primary knock against Ayton is that he wants more. Milt Wagner said the expectations that surround D.J. You can also contact him at 856-486-2431. But he averaged 18.7 points and 11.8rebounds a game, becoming one of the sport's most dominant big men before knee injuries destroyed his career. He won all seven state titles between 1974-87, a remarkable run of great players, great teams and great moments. 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. And it was that disrespect that drew Muggsy to basketball. 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 former Camden star, who won an NCAA title at Louisville and an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, watched his highly-touted grandson score 15 points in his debut for the Panthers. How can we rank a player this high after just two seasons? Youve lived a long life in terms of, basketball wise, you did a lot, so why not help them? 3 in the nation at the Seagull Classic at Holy Spirit. "We are just out here to have fun, to have a good day and enjoy our time.". Josh Friedman has produced award-winning South Jersey sports coverage for the Courier Post and The Daily Journal for more than a decade. [18] However, the league folded days later, after it was discovered that the founder was a con artist. Wagner, the No. Choose at least two teams from the menus below to start your trade. He wants everybody else to do well.. Fans look down from a walking track on a higher floor, intent on sizing Wagner up. This was Carstarphen and Brown's junior year. 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. Steve Pikiell's team showing signs of progress. He averaged more than 27 points a game with the Carolina Cougars in the 1969-70 season, and then finished his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. I can relate to these kids. People of all ages pack the bleachers at home games and a large contingent of Panthers fans follows the team on the road. 22 overall, even Wade was a bit in disbelief, but also quite proud of his former players. He played nine seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and has also worked as an assistant coach for several teams. He retired with 7,868 career points. Abandoned industrial sites dominate other parts of the city, and much of the downtown is eerily quiet, even during business hours. Wade wanted to establish hard-working habits that they didnt get from their environment outside of school walls. Share & Export. WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor. Compounding matters, they finished second in the state tournament eight times between 2001 and 2017. He wasthe team's second-leading scorer on March 2, 1962, with 17 points. The Newark native and Weequahic High graduate earned the nickname as "The Destroyer" for his defensive talents while with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors. 6. But despite his NBA success, Bogues best memories playing basketball were actually long before. Murdock, who starred at Bridgewater-Raritan High, played 508 games in his NBA career and averaged 10.1 points a game. Steve Politi may be reached atspoliti@njadvancemedia.com. Select the players you wish to trade from the rosters below. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He finished the season averaging 35.3 points per game,[2] and won the ESPN Sophomore of the Year award. 12 in the 1987 Draft and is the shortest player ever to play in the NBA. The first family of Camden basketball: Freshman guard D.J. [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]. Their legacy of producing four NBA players off the same team only makes the team's high school accomplishments more special as time passes. NBA Players Born In Camden (NJ), United States - RealGM. Im coming there to win. June 23, 2022. It just kind of flows over.". He unfurled one of the most famous performances in Camden basketball history as a senior in 1981, scoring 52 against a DeMatha (Md.) Born in Caldwell, Henderson was the No. "That was big for me," Milt, now 59, says. 1987 (28-3). "Once we got it started, I wasn't just representing the Wagner name, I was representing our city," Wagner says. 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. 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The sport became their safe haven, and the indoor recreation center their sanctuary. 21 jersey in Camdens season-opener vs. Philadelphia Public League power Simon Gratz. Add you thoughts in the comments section or send them directly to columnist Steve Politi atspoliti@njadvancemedia.com. 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). The chemistry the team had was built years prior. He also has outstanding footwork, speed and balance. West, a Teaneck native, has turned down millions in pursuit of the one thing he has lacked in his career: A championship ring. Wagner, who also scored 10 points in Team USA's win over the World Team at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland in early April, was named Most Valuable Player of the McDonald's All-American Game in Houston in March, scoring all 19 of his points in the second half of a winning effort and becoming the first Kentucky signee to be named MVP of the event since fellow New Jerseyan Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in 2011. Camden is set to play Sierra Canyon of Los Angeles in a game that would match rising sophomores D.J. He led the Panthers to a 29-1 record in 2019-20, including a season-ending, 25-game winning streak. Its hard to put into words, Milt Wagner said after Camdens 72-52 victory before a capacity crowd at Woodrow Wilson High. (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. At nearly every game, Charlie Miller, a . 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. Dajuan Wagner may arguably be the greatest high school player in New Jersey history. This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 2000s is a stub. For Milt Wagner, the feeling was familiar. He led the Panthers to a 29-1 record and their first South Jersey Group 2 title since 2017. "I think because there is so much negativity talked about in Camden, the game became more important," he says. [1][2] He is the son of a former professional basketball player Dajuan Wagner and grandson of professional player "Ice Man" Milt Wagner. to drum up support. became the linchpin in the effort to put The High back on top. Allen, who played at Shawnee High in Medford, started 73 games for the 2002-03 Miami Heat in his second professional season. His best season came in 2008-09, when he averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds a game for Milwaukee. Wingate, Lewis, and Reggie Williams all transferred to Dunbar, but Muggsy was held up a year in 1980. Even more surprising, he didnt realize he was walking into a surprise wedding his own. 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. While the winter season is up in the air because of COVID, Brunson is thrilled to represent the purple and gold once again. Who did we rank too high? That flash of brilliance was enough to put him on this list even if his professional career is a series of what-ifs, with Wagner appearing in just 103 games after scoring 13.4 points a game as a rookie. joined him at practice. The Panthers bring back the majority of last years team, including star sophomore DJ Wagner and seniors TaQuan Woodley and Jerome Brewer, and are currentlyranked No. He works for the NBA Players' Association as a regional representative. But Wagner can't stay in Camden forever. "Above all he is a competitor. . The game is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 16. Regardless of the investigation, Camden is ready for another championship, another season of glory for D.J. Under all the circumstances, all the hoopla, I think he played well. 6 pick in the 2002 NBA draft, but injury and illness derailed his career. [3] In his sophomore year, Dajuan played in 17 games and had a new career-high of 57 points against Pennsauken Tech on January 26. . Notes: Knox is the brother of former UK and current NBA player Kevin Knox; . Take me, show me, lead me. That goes back the credit to his mom (Syreeta Brittingham) and dad, they raised him well. RealGM Trade Checker Step 1: Select the Teams Choose at least two teams from the menus below to start your trade. But college recruiting was no easy field. Even Camden star Billy Thompson was laughing along. "This is your shot," he says in a video campaign. . Get as Excel Workbook. , I love the game today, he said. 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. In an area where most kids dont expect to live past 20, Bogues and Williams retreated to basketball. But the chemistry didnt come right away. Coach Turner was there to watch. He is a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2023 recruiting class. Each era has its uniqueness. 1 basketball prospect in the Class of 2023, follows his father and grandfather as expected, the Wagners would become the first family with three generations of players in both the elite high school contest and the NBA. I think it helped elevate my profile.". YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Hes a respectful kid. They dont complain, theyre great. He was born in Trenton before moving to Dallas as a child. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 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. 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. At 17, D.J. Sparrow, who starred at Eastside High in Paterson, had a productive 12-year career as a point guard in the NBA. 25. Camden's school superintendent is a former cheerleader at The High. ; Step 2: Choose the . High School: Camden High School. At 6-foot-5, Milt Wagner was a lanky guard with a smooth shooting stroke and an unflappable demeanor. 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. But he was also, more importantly, a loyal friend, a proud father, and a loving husband. Wright was arguably the greatest athlete Newark has ever produced. A former NBA player and coach, Brunson has been Camden's coach for one season. "There is no Camden High basketball without the Wagners," says Antoine Miller, a former teammate of Dajuan's, who runs the Camden Elite AAU program. After an introduction by the school board president, Wagner takes the microphone and thanks the crowd. 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. The. He is averaging 15.0 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. "There is no better feeling in the world.". They had met back in Muggyss hometown when he was back at his old high school, before his NBA fame and retirement. On January 31, 2000 he scored 80 points (24 of which in the fourth quarter) in a 12266 win against Pennsauken Tech. He was born here. He still has a teenager's slim build, and what sets him apart is not necessarily his size or athleticism, recruiters say, but his savvy understanding of how to set the pace of a game. But we gave it a shot with the top baseball players in New Jersey history, so we'll do our best again. Like every top high school senior in the country, he will soon have to prove himself beyond the safe embrace of home. Bogues had to spend his freshman year at Southern High an hour away from the Lafayette projects. November 12, 2021 Ron "Itchy" Smith, legendary Camden High basketball player, dies shortly after having number retired The six-foot-one guard, a member of the class of 1960, was the first player . But most of Camden's factories shut down long ago, choking off key routes to working-class prosperity and helping to trigger an exodus. Pursuing those dreams didnt feel right. Ranking them is, of course, virtually impossible. The Knicks might want a return on the four-year, $72 million contract they gave him, though. 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. Wagner (0:27), Hoops hotbed Camden is ready for No. Winning comes first with me and I want to help Kentucky win as much as possible.". A former NFL player, Wade implemented a military-like approach to his practices. If he was on a fast break, he might have David Wingate open, but Muggsy was passing to his friend Reggie Williams instead. This page is not available in other languages. He finished six points shy of 8,000 for his career, and then became one of the top players for the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. NBA players, you manage their time. 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. As Camden shrank and its tax base eroded, it became infamous for violent crime and blight. Select the second team from the drop down menu. Wagner is only a senior at Camden High School. The 5-foot-10 guard was lightly recruited out of Seton Hall Prep, but he went onto have an outstanding career at Stanford before becoming a reliable ball handler in the NBA who averaged 7.3 points and 6.1 assists a game during a 13-year career. arrived on the Camden High squad in 2019 as it was going through a particularly frustrating stretch. Wagner's colitis condition was not amenable to medication and, after consulting with New York Knicks head coach Larry Brown, who referred him to a New York medical expert, he underwent surgery to remove half his colon on October 25, 2005, at Mount Sinai Hospital.
