2026 NBA Draft: D.J. Wagner Scouting Report

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2026 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.

D.J. Wagner

Position: Guard

College: Arkansas

Class: Junior

Height/Weight: 6'4", 190 lbs

Birthdate: May 4, 2005

Previous College: Kentucky

High School: Camden (NJ)

Player Overview

D.J. Wagner is a scoring guard with an advanced off-the-dribble game and the ability to create for himself and others. His lateral quickness and shifty ball-handling make him an effective slasher, and he’s at his best when attacking downhill. While not an elite shooter, his mechanics suggest potential for improvement over time.

Despite his scoring prowess, Wagner has some areas to improve on. He takes a high volume of difficult shots, which affects his efficiency, and he still needs to improve his decision-making as a playmaker. He relies too often on below-the-rim finishes in traffic, leading to contested and inefficient looks. Defensively, he brings physicality and disruption, utilizing his foot speed to pressure ball handlers; however, he must continue to develop his on-ball discipline to make a consistent impact.

Long-term, Wagner’s ability to become a more efficient scorer, improve his shot selection, and enhance his defensive impact will determine his NBA ceiling. If he can add consistency to his jumper and make strides as a secondary playmaker, he has the tools to develop into an NBA-level guard.

Strengths

• Dynamic Shot Creator: Can create offense off the dribble in multiple ways.

• Quick First Step: Effective at getting downhill and attacking defenses.

• Disruptive Defender: Uses his strength and quickness to disrupt opponents.

• Shifty Ball-Handler: Changes pace well and is hard to stay in front of.

• Encouraging Passing Flashes: Has potential as a secondary playmaker.

  
  

Concerns

• Shooting Consistency: Needs to become a more reliable perimeter shooter.

• Shot Selection & Decision-Making: Takes tough, contested shots instead of making the simple play.

• Below-the-Rim Finishing: Relies too much on finesse in traffic rather than using explosiveness.

• Versatility Limitations: May be best suited as a scoring guard rather than a true combo or lead guard.

  
  

Questions

• Can he develop into a more consistent three-point shooter?

• Will he improve his playmaking feel and decision-making as a passer?

• Can he become more efficient at the rim against NBA-caliber shot blockers?

• How will he translate defensively against bigger guards?

  
  

Bottom Line

D.J. Wagner is a terrific scorer who thrives in off-the-dribble situations and has the tools to be a productive offensive weapon. His physical defense, quickness, and ability to create his own shot make him an intriguing prospect. Still, he must improve his decision-making, shot selection, and finishing efficiency to maximize his potential at the next level. If he can develop as a more consistent shooter and secondary creator, he could carve out a role as a spark-plug scoring guard in the NBA.