Syracuse basketball looks like a long shot to land 5-star target, No. 1 junior

A recent article from a national recruiting analyst notes that Syracuse basketball recruiting target D.J. Wagner may not be taking any more college visits, at least for the time being.

While I’m not a recruiting analyst, nor am I in Wagner’s inner circle, I get the sense that this development doesn’t necessarily bode well for the Orange’s chances to prevail for the 2023 five-star point guard.

The 6-foot-3 Wagner is the consensus No. 1 junior across the country, although other 2023 prospects, including several ‘Cuse five-star recruiting targets, may be in contention for the top spot as well, according to some analysts and scouts.

Wagner, a stand-out for the powerhouse Camden High School in Camden, N.J., was offered by Syracuse basketball this past August at the Orange’s annual Elite Camp.

So he’s technically taken an unofficial visit to the ‘Cuse. But will Wagner end up making an official visit to the Hill? That remains to be seen, although it doesn’t appear all too likely.

Give credit to Syracuse basketball for offering five-star point guard D.J. Wagner.

When word broke over the summer that Orange coaches had pledged a scholarship offer to Wagner, a lot of my fellow ‘Cuse fans thought it would prove virtually impossible for Syracuse basketball to pick up this stellar 2023 prospect.

I get that type of sentiment. But as I always opine, the Orange can’t win out for a top-flight player unless the team offers him first. Wagner’s other offers include from Memphis, Kentucky, Villanova and Temple.

"In a recent story, 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London writes in part, “As far as Wagner’s recruitment goes, he has taken visits to Kentucky, Memphis, Villanova, and Temple with no other visits in mind.”"

Look, in the recruiting world, things can change. However, if Wagner isn’t eyeing a potential official visit to Central New York, I’m not sure how that can be viewed as an encouraging sign for the Orange’s chances.

Plus, as we’ve documented in numerous columns of late, recruiting titans Kentucky and Memphis are receiving a strong amount of buzz for Wagner, according to some analysts and recruiting insiders.

Wagner is the son of Dajuan Wagner, who competed for Kentucky head coach John Calipari at Memphis for one season prior to getting selected at No. 6 overall in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft.

As such, it’s understandable for those two college teams to be viewed as formidable contenders for D.J. Wagner’s services. Syracuse basketball is going to have a tough time landing this pre-season All-American who shined in his 2021-22 debut for Camden High School.