Dajuan Wagner
Encyclopedia
Dajuan Marquett Wagner is an American
former professional basketball
player.
Wagner is the son of former University of Louisville
and NBA player Milt Wagner
. He was forced out of the NBA by debilitating health problems early into his career, but he made a comeback after undergoing major surgery to remove his colon
.
Wagner had a phenomenal career at Camden High School
and is perhaps better remembered for scoring 100 points in a high school game than his exploits at the collegiate and professional levels. He averaged 42.5 points as a senior, scored 3,462 points in high school (the most in New Jersey high school history, breaking former high school star Lorne Singleton's scoring record of 3,451 points) and scored 25 points in the McDonald's All-American Game.
He played one year of college basketball
at the University of Memphis
. His coach, John Calipari
, revoked Wagner's scholarship after his freshman year to force him to enter the NBA, because Calipari believed that Wagner should not avoid the money he would receive as a first-round draft pick. Wagner was chosen the sixth overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft
by the Cleveland Cavaliers
. Often compared to Allen Iverson
for his scoring ability, he had mixed success in his rookie season; although he averaged 13.4 points per game, he shot only 36.9% from the field. Wagner was hampered by injuries and health problems thereafter. He averaged a career low 4.0 points in only 11 games played during the 2004-05 season
, and was hospitalized for ulcerative colitis
. The Cavaliers did not exercise their option on his contract for the 2005-06 season
and subsequently Wagner was out of the league.
His colitis condition was not amenable to medication and, after consulting with New York Knicks
head coach Larry Brown
, who referred him to a New York medical expert, Wagner underwent surgery to remove his entire colon on October 25, 2005 at Mount Sinai Hospital
.
In April 2006, Wagner began training with former high school rival, Omar Wellington at Nexxt Level Sports in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey. During his recovery, he was featured in the Philadelphia Daily News and on Comcast SportsNet both reported that he would be attempting a comeback for the 2006 season.
On September 22, 2006 he signed a two-year contract with the Golden State Warriors
. On November 20, two months after the former college star recovered from a serious illness to make an NBA comeback, the Warriors bought out his contract.
On August 31, 2007 Wagner signed a one-year contract with Prokom Trefl Sopot
in Poland.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player.
Wagner is the son of former University of Louisville
Louisville Cardinals men's basketball
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team is the 18th winningest college basketball team in NCAA Division I history and has the 10th best winning percentage in college basketball history. Currently coached by Rick Pitino, the Cardinals of the University of Louisville have been to 37 NCAA...
and NBA player Milt Wagner
Milt Wagner
Milton "Milt" Wagner is a retired American basketball player in the NBA.Wagner played high school basketball at Camden High School....
. He was forced out of the NBA by debilitating health problems early into his career, but he made a comeback after undergoing major surgery to remove his colon
Colon (anatomy)
The colon is the last part of the digestive system in most vertebrates; it extracts water and salt from solid wastes before they are eliminated from the body, and is the site in which flora-aided fermentation of unabsorbed material occurs. Unlike the small intestine, the colon does not play a...
.
Wagner had a phenomenal career at Camden High School
Camden High School (New Jersey)
Camden High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from the city of Camden, New Jersey, United States. The school is part of the Camden City Public Schools, which is classified as an Abbott District. The school,...
and is perhaps better remembered for scoring 100 points in a high school game than his exploits at the collegiate and professional levels. He averaged 42.5 points as a senior, scored 3,462 points in high school (the most in New Jersey high school history, breaking former high school star Lorne Singleton's scoring record of 3,451 points) and scored 25 points in the McDonald's All-American Game.
He played one year of college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
. His coach, John Calipari
John Calipari
John Calipari is an American basketball coach. Since April 2009, he has been the men's head coach at the University of Kentucky....
, revoked Wagner's scholarship after his freshman year to force him to enter the NBA, because Calipari believed that Wagner should not avoid the money he would receive as a first-round draft pick. Wagner was chosen the sixth overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft
2002 NBA Draft
The 2002 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North...
by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
. Often compared to Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
for his scoring ability, he had mixed success in his rookie season; although he averaged 13.4 points per game, he shot only 36.9% from the field. Wagner was hampered by injuries and health problems thereafter. He averaged a career low 4.0 points in only 11 games played during the 2004-05 season
2004-05 NBA season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association . It began on November 2, 2004 and ended June 23, 2005. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs defeating defending champion Detroit Pistons 4–3 in the NBA Finals....
, and was hospitalized for ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease . Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the colon , that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset...
. The Cavaliers did not exercise their option on his contract for the 2005-06 season
2005-06 NBA season
The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. It began on November 1, 2005 and ran through April 19, 2006...
and subsequently Wagner was out of the league.
His colitis condition was not amenable to medication and, after consulting with New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
head coach Larry Brown
Larry Brown (basketball)
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown is an American basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats....
, who referred him to a New York medical expert, Wagner underwent surgery to remove his entire colon on October 25, 2005 at Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital, New York
Mount Sinai Hospital, founded in 1852, is one of the oldest and largest teaching hospitals in the United States. In 2011-2012, Mount Sinai Hospital was ranked as one of America's best hospitals by U.S...
.
In April 2006, Wagner began training with former high school rival, Omar Wellington at Nexxt Level Sports in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey. During his recovery, he was featured in the Philadelphia Daily News and on Comcast SportsNet both reported that he would be attempting a comeback for the 2006 season.
On September 22, 2006 he signed a two-year contract with the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. On November 20, two months after the former college star recovered from a serious illness to make an NBA comeback, the Warriors bought out his contract.
On August 31, 2007 Wagner signed a one-year contract with Prokom Trefl Sopot
Prokom Trefl Sopot
Asseco Prokom Gdynia is a Polish professional basketball team, based in Gdynia, Poland. The team plays in the Polish Basketball League and the Euroleague...
in Poland.
External links
- Dajuan Wagner player profile @ NBA.com
- NBA career stats @ basketball-reference