Duke basketball coaches reach out to No. 1 recruit

The Duke basketball staff has initiated contact with the top 2023 prospect.

According to an article on Sunday from 247Sports recruiting insider Dushawn London, Camden (N.J.) point guard DJ Wagner has recently heard from the Duke basketball program as well as Arkansas, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Michigan, Syracuse, Temple, Villanova, and others.

Wagner, who is a 6-foot-3, 165-pound five-star rising high school junior with an electric playing style, currently ranks No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2023 Composite.

However, Wagner still does not have a single offer to his name, or at least not one that 247Sports has reported. How strange, right? Well, there appears to be a sensible explanation for that…

Lucrative options likely on tap for the Duke basketball recruiting prospect

Perhaps coaches are just assuming the potent bucket-getter will bypass the college route altogether by opting for the professional path after his high school graduation.

Travis Branham of 247Sports implied as much last week yet did not completely rule out the college option for DJ Wagner:

"“Many expect Wagner to go the professional route given his elite stature in the class. But given the complete overhaul of the recruiting landscape with the expectant passing of NIL, the playing field could be a bit more level for these elite prospects in now attending college more than jumping the professional route.”"

Also worth noting, Wagner is the namesake son of the No. 1 recruit from 2001, Dajuan Wagner, who went on to star for one season at Memphis under present-day Kentucky head coach John Calipari before lasting four seasons in the NBA.

Judging from that connection alone — with an eye on the 247Sports Crystal Ball as well — it’s quite clear at this point that Calipari and his Wildcats are the perceived frontrunner to reel in the younger Wagner should the phenom choose the college route.

Nevertheless, the fact that the Blue Devils are now showing interest is, well, interesting.