Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022-23 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
D.J. Wagner of
Camden is the 2022-23 MaxPreps New Jersey High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3 senior guard led the Panthers to a 23-2 record and the No. 5 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 at the time of his selection.
Wagner averaged 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game this season. He scored a career-high 40 points in back-to-back games last month on the way to making his family the first to have three generations pass the 2,000-point threshold. He joins grandfather Milt and father Dajuan – who both played in the NBA – on the vaunted point plateau.
Five-star Kentucky signee D.J. Wagner earns his third consecutive MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year award. (Photo: Lonnie Webb)
A four-year star at Camden, Wagner led the Panthers to a record of 94-5 with four straight MaxPreps Top 25 finishes. Headed to Kentucky next season, he is regarded as the No. 4 overall prospect in the Class of 2023 according to 247Sports.
Wagner has won three consecutive MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year awards. He put up 22.0 points, 3.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2020-21 and 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.3 assists last season.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in April. Past selections include 2023 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016), Jaylen Brown (2015), DeMar DeRozan (2008), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony Edwards (2019), De'Aaron Fox (2016), Jrue Holiday (2008), Jaren Jackson (2017), Kyrie Irving (2010), Julius Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016) and Zion Williamson (2018).
