The Kentucky basketball program is going through a challenging transition ahead of the 2024-25 season. The Wildcats lost longtime head coach John Calipari to fellow SEC basketball foe Arkansas. As a result, Kentucky is experiencing significant recruitment migration, with one of the latest developments being former five-star DJ Wagner.

Wagner is following Calipari and has committed to Arkansas via the college basketball transfer portal, per On3 (h/t Arkansas Democrat-Gazette).

The former five-star recruit started 28 games for the Wildcats during the 2023-24 season. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game. In addition, she shot 40.5 percent from the field and 29.9 percent on three-pointers.

One of DJ Wagner's breakout moments came during Kentucky's 118-82 win over Marshall on Nov. 24th. The 6'4″ guard scored a career-high 28 points, going 10-for-14 from the floor. Wagner's efforts throughout the season earned him a spot on the SEC's All-Freshman Team. He also amassed three SEC Freshman of the Week honors.

DJ Wagner's departure hurts the rapidly changing Kentucky basketball squad. In addition to Wagner, the Wildcats lost former freshmen Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard as 2024 NBA Draft entries.

Sheppard and Dillingham were one of the best freshman duos in the country in 2023-24. Sheppard
earned the SEC Freshman of the Year Award and Second-Team All-Conference honors after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals on blazing 52.1% three-point shooting accuracy.

The sharpshooting guard's effort ranked him among elite company. He is the only first-round pick from college to shoot over 50% on threes at his volume since Glen Rice at Michigan during the 1988-89 season.

Rob Dillingham had nearly as impressive of a season. The shifty guard averaged 15.2 points and shot a red-hot 44.0 percent on three-pointers during the 2023-24 season. He earned All-Freshman and Second-Team All-Conference honors.

It will be interesting to see how Kentucky bounces back amid their talent exodus.

Kentucky basketball starts new era after John Calipari's exit

In early April, John Calipari departed Kentucky for the Arkansas basketball program. His move was shocking to some but was rumored to happen after the Wildcats' tough March Madness exit. Kentucky made the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed but stunningly lost 80-76 to Oakland in the first round.

Calipari expressed his disappointment in the team's finish but also showed his care and commitment to winning.

“My standard is we're playing to play deep into the NCAA Tournament and compete for national titles. And win national titles. I wanted this job knowing that was the case. I love this job knowing that was the case,” Calipari said after Kentucky's first-round exit.

The longtime head coach would have liked to stay with the Wildcats. But when Eric Musselman left Arkansas, Calipari jumped at the new opportunity. He reportedly has always held the Razorbacks head coaching job with high regard.

After 15 years with Kentucky, Calipari became Arkansas' new leader. Nevertheless, he left an incredible legacy with the Wildcats. Calipari led the team to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances including a title in 2011-12.

Now, Kentucky will be served by former BYU head coach Mark Pope. Pope is a proven leader and wants to help the Wildcats remain a national force.

Can Kentucky win another championship in the post-John Calipari era?