One and done

Memphis' Wagner opts not to return for sophomore year

Dajuan Wagner once scored 100 points in a high school game. AP

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Freshman guard Dajuan Wagner, who led Memphis to the NIT championship last month, said Wednesday he will make himself eligible for the NBA draft.

"This was a difficult decision; however my lifelong dream has been to play in the NBA and I am anxious to begin my professional basketball career," Wagner said. "I am going to continue to attend classes and finish the semester, as I promised my mother that I would get my degree."

The 6-foot-3 Wagner averaged 21.2 points and shot 41 percent from the field this season. He also averaged 3.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals. Wagner was selected the MVP of the NIT, Memphis' first postseason basketball championship.

Also Wednesday, Scooter McFadgon, the other starting guard for the Tigers, said he will transfer out of the program.

Tigers coach John Calipari said he hates to see Wagner go, but supports him.

"I agreed with Dajuan and his family," Calipari said. "Looking at all the factors involved, this is the time for this young man to take on all the challenges of the NBA. It was a wonderful experience coaching Dajuan."

2002 Early Entrants Player  Year  School  Mario Austin  So.  Miss. State  Carlos Boozer  Jr.  Duke  Curtis Borchardt  Jr.  Stanford  Marcus Haislip  Jr.  Tennessee  Casey Jacobsen  Jr.  Stanford  Jared Jeffries  So.  Indiana  Roger Mason Jr.  Jr.  Virginia  Kareem Rush  Jr.  Missouri  Jamal Sampson  Fr.  California  Theron Smith  Jr.  Ball State  Marcus Taylor  So.  Michigan St.  Dajuan Wagner  Fr.  Memphis  Frank Williams  Jr.  Illinois  Jason Williams  Jr.  Duke  Qyntel Woods  So.  NE (Miss.) CC

Wagner, a projected lottery pick in the draft, was a high school sensation in Camden, N.J., averaging over 40 points and scoring 100 in a game as a senior.

He is the son of Milt Wagner, who played for Louisville's 1986 national championship team and then for the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. Milt Wagner is an assistant on Calipari's staff.

"Really, it was a hard decision because Dajuan was enjoying himself here, and he felt like if he was to come back next year, we would have a real, real good team," Milt Wagner said. "But at the same time, we felt that he would be a top lottery pick this year and it was the right opportunity to go."

McFadgon said his decision to transfer after two seasons had nothing to do with his shooting struggles in February or Wagner's decision to leave.

"I felt like I wanted a change, and I feel like now is the time," McFadgon said. "I've been wanting to do it for a [while]. ... I just want to go to a new city. This was not about basketball."

McFadgon averaged 9.9 points as a sophomore, third on the team. He had averaged 9.3 points as a freshman, and started 54 of the 70 games he played at Memphis.

McFadgon has expressed interest in Tennessee, but has also asked that his papers be sent to Florida State and Miami.

Calipari has said he will grant him a full release from his scholarship obligations, which means McFadgon would only have to sit out one season at another NCAA institution before gaining eligibility.

 

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