Memphis Reportedly Eyeing Arkansas Star Player

Calipari's former program looking to poach one of the Razorbacks' key players from the last two Sweet 16 runs.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:11pm

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a college basketball game or match, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the official colors of Arkansas and Memphis, conceptually representing the competitive nature of recruiting top players.The potential transfer of a star player highlights the ongoing battle for talent between rival college basketball programs.Springdale Today

According to a source, Memphis is one of a few schools who have inquired about rising senior DJ Wagner via back channels since the end of the season. Wagner, whose father Dajuan was a Memphis basketball legend, has been one of John Calipari's most loyal players in recent years, choosing to follow the coach from Kentucky to Arkansas. However, the report indicates those overtures have not been successful and Wagner is expected to return to Fayetteville.

Why it matters

This would be a major blow to Arkansas' basketball program if Wagner were to leave, as he has been a key contributor to the Razorbacks' recent success. Memphis is looking to rebuild after a disappointing 13-19 season, and landing Wagner could help them return to prominence. The potential move also adds an interesting wrinkle to the history between Calipari, Memphis, and Arkansas.

The details

Memphis is in need of backcourt help after losing several key guards to the transfer portal. Wagner could help fill that void, and there's even a chance he could reunite with former high school and Kentucky teammate Aaron Bradshaw, who is also at Memphis. However, Wagner has shown loyalty to Calipari, following him from Kentucky to Arkansas, and the Razorbacks are poised for another strong season, so it seems unlikely he would leave now.

  • Wagner has been at Arkansas for the last two seasons.
  • The transfer portal officially opens on Tuesday.

The players

DJ Wagner

A rising senior at Arkansas who has been a key contributor to the Razorbacks' recent success. His father, Dajuan Wagner, was a Memphis basketball legend.

John Calipari

The Hall of Fame coach who led Memphis to the brink of a national title in 2008 before leaving for Kentucky. He is now in his third season as the head coach at Arkansas.

Penny Hardaway

The head coach at Memphis who is firmly on the hot seat after the Tigers went 13-19 this past season, his first with fewer than 20 wins.

Aaron Bradshaw

A 7-foot center who played for Kentucky as a freshman and then Ohio State before ending up at Memphis. There's a chance he could reunite with former high school and Kentucky teammate DJ Wagner.

Dajuan Wagner

A Memphis basketball legend who averaged 21.2 points as a freshman for the Tigers before being selected sixth overall in the 2002 NBA Draft. He is the father of DJ Wagner.

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What they’re saying

“There is very little doubt that DJ Wagner's projected role at Memphis would be much different than at Arkansas next season.”

— Andrew Hutchinson, Author

What’s next

The transfer portal officially opens on Tuesday, so any potential move by DJ Wagner would likely happen in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing battle for top talent in college basketball, with programs like Memphis looking to poach key players from successful programs like Arkansas. Wagner's loyalty to Calipari and the Razorbacks' recent success make it unlikely he will leave, but the potential move adds an interesting wrinkle to the history between the two schools.