FanHouse DajuanWagner

The career of Dajuan Wagner has been one of sadder stories over the past couple years. One of the best high school players of his generation, Wagner had a solid rookie season for the pre-LeBron Cavs before succumbing to various assaults on his health, the most serious being severe colitis which led to the removal of his colon.

Wagner's comeback was encouraged by a partially guaranteed contract with the Warriors last summer. Dajuan got into one game for the Dubs, but his body couldn't keep up. He was invited to Denver's summer league this year, but a turned ankle kept him away. Now, the NBA has seemingly given up on him, but Wagner's not giving up on basketball: He just signed a deal with Polish squad Prokom Trefl Sopot, according to the Camden (N.J.) Courier-Post (via Ballhype).

Prokom Sopot's got a slot in Euroleague next season, and if Wagner can keep up with game he can offer buckets of scoring prowess for the team, which also features Travis Best and solid Argentine Ruben Wolkowyski. Wagner surely has his sights still set on the NBA, and at age 24 it's not out of the question. Especially with Dajuan's drive.

"Where I come from, we never quit. I don't have any quit in me, so I'm just going to keep going."

After having his career sidetracked by injury and illness (including having his colon removed and a new one rebuilt from other organs), Dajuan Wagner did earn a two-year contract with the Warriors last year, but he had the contract bought out after appearing in just one game.

He's hoping to stick around a little longer this time, and to stay fit by playing in a variety of summer leagues near his New Jersey home. From the Courier-Post:

''I'm going to head for it,'' Wagner said of returning to the league. ''I'm going to see. Whatever (agent) Leon (Rose) wants me to do. I know I can play the game. I'm feeling a lot better, though. I know what to expect now."

The good news is, Wagner just turned 24 in February, so he's got some time. The other thing is, NBA teams still have interest. Wagner said he nearly played for the Denver Nuggets' summer league team, but twisted an ankle and opted not to go because he wouldn't have been himself.

To be honest, I'm a little surprised to realize that Wagner is still only 24 years old, but in hindsight he was just 19 years old after being drafted sixth overall by the Cavaliers in 2002. He'll probably never live up to his lofty draft status (he was taken ahead of Amare Stoudemire, Caron Butler, Nene and Tayshaun Prince, just to name a few), but he's certainly young enough to turn around his career.

That said, I have to question his decision to skip the Nuggets' summer league. Even if he had a sprained ankle, I have to imagine simply getting in front of legitimate NBA scouts and GMs certainly would have helped his cause more so than tearing up some has-beens in a random rec league. In any case, hopefully things work out for him.

(hat-tip: Celtics 24/7)