ec. 5, 2023Wagner was up and down in his first seven games before suffering an ankle injury. He looked inconsistent as a finisher, shooter, playmaker and defender, which gives him quite a bit of room to improve when he returns to the lineup for Kentucky soon. His creativity operating off crossovers and hesitation moves is intriguing when paired with the touch he shows on floaters and short-range shots, and he has shown some flashes of playmaking defensively that could be harnessed as his thin frame continues to fill out. SEC competition will tell us a lot more about Wagner's standing in this draft, as opinions vary drastically in NBA circles on how to evaluate him long-term. -- Jonathan Givony
Nov. 16, 2023 Shooting 1-for-12 from the floor with just one assist in 25 minutes, there weren't many positives to take away from Wagner's Champions Classic. He was already viewed as somewhat of a polarizing prospect among scouts prior to this performance, where he struggled to generate good offense, couldn't get pull-up jumpers to fall, missed several good looks at the rim and had some difficult moments navigating screens. He also broke his team's defense at times gambling for steals. Wagner's slick ballhandling, quickness and overall scoring instincts will surely help him rebound from this lackluster performance, which will be key for both him and the Wildcats to accomplish their goals this season. -- Jonathan Givony
Nov. 6, 2023 Wagner is somewhat of a divisive prospect among scouts and has some things to prove as Kentucky's starting point guard. Wagner's ballhandling, ability to play at different speeds and overall scoring instincts are outstanding, helping establish himself as a consensus top-10 high school recruit. Scouts want to learn more about his decision-making, perimeter shooting and defense, which have been inconsistent throughout his career. He will be under an intense microscope at Kentucky and face quite a bit of pressure with a fan base itching for the first Sweet 16 appearance in five years. -- Jonathan Givony
