It’s been nearly eight years since Dajuan Wagner last played in an NBA game, but Camden’s ‘Messiah’ is set on trying to make a comeback to reach a destiny unfulfilled.
Injuries and illnesses have robbed the former Camden High School star of the chance of becoming an all-time great. At this point Wagner simply wants to play for his son and his community one more time.
Per philly.com-
Lately, Wagner has done more than wonder about what might have happened had he stayed healthy. He has committed to an intensive workout program that he hopes will lead to a resurrection of his career at the age of 31.
A chiseled 200 pounds, the 6-foot-2 Wagner believes he has begun to regain the explosive athletic ability that was as much the source of his success in the sport as his jump shot, ballhandling and court sense.
After another training session on a recent afternoon at the Adrenaline Sports Performance facility in Cherry Hill, where he is part-owner, Wagner said he is determined to push himself to see if he can play again at the highest level of the sport – in the NBA.
Wagner last played in the NBA in November 2006.
“I want to see if I can do it,” Wagner said. “I want to try. I still love to play. It’s all I’ve ever known.”
In high school, Wagner averaged 42.5 points his senior season and was considered the next Allen Iverson. He was the sixth pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2002 and was supposed to team with LeBron James for years to come.
Unfortunately, the 2002 draft night was probably the last real highlight of his playing career.