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Milt Wagner, D.J.’s grandfather and a hoops legend himself, sees the lineage clearly. “So, DJ is more a combination of both of us, and he has his own talents as a point guard. DJ is far better than me at the same age—and I know his father will say the same thing,” he once said. And of course, Milt can be thanked for this, for the Wagner family mantra- No one gets any breaks. 

It began during Milt’s days as a pro. He often recalls the battles between him and his son Dajuan in empty gyms where elbows flew every second. And the toughness with which they played, no one could have figured that they were a father-son duo. That same way of doing things was passed to D.J. by Dajuan. “Dajuan goes at DJ the same way I went at Dajuan,” Milt said. “You had to throw Dajuan out of the gym. DJ is the same way. They’re gym rats. They love the game.”

We can almost imagine a young D.J., barely a decade old, tying the laces of his sneakers, and asking grown men for a shot at the hoop. Fast forward to now and he’s made a name for himself as a talented guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks, one that’s now paying dividends in a manner he never imagined.

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What are D.J. Wagner’s NIL deals as of 2025?

D.J. Wagner’s exact NIL valuation isn’t known as of March 23, 2025. However, his NIL portfolio is quite studded, which suggests that he could be among the top NIL earners in college basketball. Wagner’s marketability stems from his talent, family legacy, and social media presence—he boasts over 157,000 followers on Instagram. Not to forget that his unique aesthetic is something that every brand might want for themselves. High-quality visuals that demand a double tap!

Screaming speed, style, and swagger, he had inked a partnership with Lex Exotics, an exotic car club, on Instagram. He also partnered with Marathon for a commercial, “Co-Pilot Series“. His deal with Express as a style ambassador gave ‘suited up” a new definition. Add in NOCTA—Drake’s Nike sub-label—draping him in streetwear that’s got that late-night energy, and a WME Sports deal that’s all about power moves off the court,

However, his NIL game hit a jaw-dropping peak when he landed a deal with Nike. The mega deal already had big NBA and WNBA players like Bronny James, Caitlin Clark, Haley Jones, and JuJu Watkins. “To serve the future of athletes and sport, Nike is teaming up with inspiring young athletes who are leading the way now — both on the court and in their communities,” Nike said in a statement.

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Interestingly, when the deal was signed; Caitlin, Haley Jones, JuJu Watkins, and Bronny James had already shinned on the college level basketball while DJ was fresh from high school and was the subject of a recruiting battle between Kentucky and Louisville.

Which high school did D.J. Wagner attend?

D.J. Wagner followed his father’s footsteps, right from his early playing days, attending Camden High School. In his freshman year, under coach Rick Brunson, Wagner averaged 18.5 points per game, earning a spot on the MaxPreps Freshman All-American roster. His team went on a 25-game winning streak, proving his ability to perform under pressure. His performance also earned him a place on the New Jersey Boys Basketball Team of the Year.

By his junior year, Wagner was a towering force, averaging 19.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.1 steals per game, He proved it further by leading Camden to the NJSIAA Group 2 state championship. Not just that, he was also named Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons. And if you don’t know, that’s a rare feat. And then as a senior, he improved even more, averaging 22.5 points and leading his team to a 23–2 record.

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via Imago

With MVP performance in the biggest high school game, the five-star rated DJ was one of the top recruits in the country in the Class of 2023 by ESPN and 247Sports. He eventually joined Kentucky Wildcats as a freshman.

However, even before High School, he had established his elite potential. During the summer before his freshman year at Camden, he was one of only three 2023 class prospects invited to the USA Basketball July mini-camp in Colorado Springs.

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What is D.J. Wagner’s net worth and salary?

D.J. Wagner, though not drawing any salaries, has a substantial income from the NIL deals. There is no information on his net worth, however, his growth curve indicates a bright future ahead. As he eyes the 2025 NBA Draft, where he’s projected as a first-round pick, things are looking great for the Wagner legacy.

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Is D.J. Wagner the next big thing in basketball, or just riding his family's coattails?

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