_by_Sandro_Halank%25E2%2580%2593145.jpg) Wagner with Germany in 2023 | |
| No. 21 – Orlando Magic | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center /power forward |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1997-04-26)26 April 1997 (age 28) Berlin, Germany |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Michigan (2015–2018) |
| NBA draft | 2018: 1st round, 25th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Playing career | 2014–2015; 2018–present |
| Career history | |
| 2014–2015 | Alba Berlin |
| 2018–2019 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2018 | →South Bay Lakers |
| 2019–2021 | Washington Wizards |
| 2021 | Boston Celtics |
| 2021–present | Orlando Magic |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
Victor Moritz "Moe"Wagner (born 26 April 1997) is a German professionalbasketball player for theOrlando Magic of theNational Basketball Association (NBA).[1] He played forAlba Berlin[2] before moving to the US to play college basketball for theMichigan Wolverines from 2015 through his junior season for the2017–18 Wolverines team. Wagner entered his name for the2017 NBA draft without hiring an agent, but withdrew and returned to Michigan. He was selected with the 25th overall pick in the2018 NBA draft by theLos Angeles Lakers.
He was a 2018 All-Big Ten second team selection by both the coaches and the media. Following the season, he was the2018 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament MVP helping the team earn the Big Ten tournament championship for the second time in a row. He was also named to the West Region All-Tournament Team and Final Four All-Tournament Team during the2018 NCAA basketball tournament. He has represented theGermany national team. His younger brotherFranz Wagner is also an NBA player as well as his teammate, playingsmall forward for theOrlando Magic.
Wagner started his basketball career in the youth ranks ofAlba Berlin. In 2013–14, Wagner played for the club's under-19 Bundesliga squad,[3] which won the German championship.[4] In 2014–15, he played on Alba Berlin'sBundesliga roster, appearing in four games of the German league, scoring 2.3 points per contest.[2] He also played in two Euroleague games during the 2014–15 season.[5]
Wagner first came to the attention ofUniversity of Michigan head coachJohn Beilein in 2014 through an email from a former coaching acquaintance in Germany.[6] Wagner also used social contacts to forward a self-made highlight video to Beilein.[7] Ultimately, Beilein flew to Berlin to recruit Wagner.[6] In April 2015, Wagner announced his decision to attend the University of Michigan and play for the Michigan Wolverines.[8] By opting to go to college, he turned down an offer to play professionally.[9]
On March 16, 2016, in the First Four round of the2016 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, Michigan defeatedTulsa, 67–62. After blocking two shots all season, Wagner posted fourblocks and had a season-high eightrebounds against Tulsa.[10][11]
Wagner's fivesteals in the March 9,2017 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament opener againstIllinois was a single-game high for the tournament.[12] Three days later, Michigan won its first Big Ten tournament championship since1998.[13] On March 19, Wagner's career-high 26 points helped Michigan defeatLouisville 73–69 to advance to the Sweet 16 of the2017 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.[14][15] For the season, Wagner started all 38 games and averaged 12.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 39.5% on three-pointers.[16] He finished the season as the team's leading rebounder.[17] Following the season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media.[18][19]
On April 10, 2017, both Wagner and teammateD. J. Wilson declared for the2017 NBA draft, but did not hire agents, which gave them until May 24 to withdraw their names and retain their athletic eligibility to return to Michigan.[20] Declaring early enabled him to participate in workouts with NBA teams and made him eligible for an invitation to the May 9–14NBA Draft Combine.[21] On April 30, 2017, Jeff Goodman of ESPN reported that he was invited to the NBA Draft Combine.[22] On May 24, 2017, Wagner decided to pull out of the 2017 draft and return to Michigan for the 2017–18 season.[23]
Wagner was selected to the 2017 10-man preseason All-Big Ten team.[24] He was also one of two Big Ten players named to the 21-manKarl Malone Award watch list.[25] He was a preseasonJohn R. Wooden Award andNaismith College Player of the Year watchlist honoree.[26][27]
On January 13, 2018, Wagner scored a career-high 27 points as Michigan defeated the fourth-rankedMichigan State Spartans 82–72 inEast Lansing; Wagner shot 8-for-13 from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.[28][29] Following the2017–18 Big Ten Conference men's basketball regular season, Wagner had accumulated more three-point field goals (47) than any NCAA player 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) or taller and was a second team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and the media.[30][31]
On March 2, Michigan defeatedNebraska 77–58 in the quarterfinals of the2018 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament. Wagner recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds. His 13 rebounds marked a single-game high for the 2018 tournament through the first two rounds.[32][33][34] The following day, in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament Wagner scored his 1,000th career point, becoming the 54th Wolverine to reach the milestone. He finished the game with a team-high 15 points and eight rebounds in a 75–64 victory over the second-ranked Michigan State Spartans.[35][36][37] In the March 4, 2018Big Ten tournament championship game againstPurdue, Wagner scored 17 points to help lead Michigan to their second consecutive Big Ten tournament championship. Wagner was named the tournament'sMost Outstanding Player.[38][39] In the 2018 tournament, Wagner averaged 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.[40]
Wagner, who averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in the first four games of the2018 NCAA basketball tournament,[41] was joined by Wolverines teammates Matthews andMuhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman on the West Region All-tournament team.[42][non-primary source needed] Having reached the Final Four, Michigan defeatedLoyola–Chicago 69–57 in the national semifinals on March 31. Wagner recorded his eighth double-double of the season with a game-high 24 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. Wagner became the first player with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a national semifinal game sinceHakeem Olajuwon in1983.[43][44] On April 2, Michigan lost to (#2Coaches Poll/#2AP Poll)Villanova 62–79 in theNational Championship Game. Wagner recorded 16 points and seven rebounds, and was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team.[45][46] For the tournament he averaged 15.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals, while shooting 38.5% on his three-point shots.[47]
For the season, Wagner averaged 14.6 points and 7.1 rebounds and shot 52.8% overall and a team-best 39.4% on his three-point shots.[48] On March 21, Wagner became an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.[49] On April 14, 2018, Wagner announced that he would enter the 2018 NBA draft and hire an agent.[50][51] On May 1, Wagner signed withRoc Nation's Joe Branch, who has represented former Michigan teammateCaris LeVert.[52] Later that day, he received an invitation to theNBA draft combine.[53]
On June 21, 2018, Wagner was selected with the 25th overall pick in the2018 NBA draft by theLos Angeles Lakers.[54] On July 1, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Lakers.[55] On July 10, Wagner injured both his left knee and left ankle in theLas Vegas Summer League.[56] He was sidelined for all of training camp and the preseason by the knee injury.[57] Wagner was assigned to theG LeagueSouth Bay Lakers on rehab assignment on October 26.[58] Wagner made his G-League debut for the South Bay Lakers on November 3, scoring 17 points in 29 minutes in a 108–106 loss to theStockton Kings.[59] He made his NBA debut on November 17 against theOrlando Magic.[60][61] On December 2, in a 120–96 victory against thePhoenix Suns, Wagner scored his first NBA points (a pair of free throws) and finished the game with 10 points.[62][63] On March 9, 2019, Wagner scored a season-high 22 points with six rebounds, three assists and a block in his first career start in a 107–120 loss to theBoston Celtics.[64]
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On July 6, 2019, Wagner was traded to theWashington Wizards, along withIsaac Bonga,Jemerrio Jones, and a 2022 second-round pick, in a three-team trade where the Lakers acquiredAnthony Davis.[65] On November 15, playing against theMinnesota Timberwolves, Wagner became the first NBA player to score 30 points and obtain 15 rebounds coming off the bench sinceYao Ming in 2002 and the first to post such numbers in under 26 minutes played in sinceLen Chappell in 1967.[66][non-primary source needed] Wagner also drew three charges in the game and was the first NBA player to ever post 30 points and 15 rebounds (both career highs) with 4 three-point shots off the bench.[67] Wagner missed 24 games with an ankle sprain before returning to the lineup on February 3 against theGolden State Warriors.[68] He was named to theRising Stars Challenge at the2020 NBA All-Star Weekend,[69] where he scored 16 points for the world team.[70]
On March 25, 2021, Wagner was traded to theBoston Celtics in a three-team trade involving theChicago Bulls.[71] On March 26, Wagner made his debut for the Celtics in a 122–114 win over theMilwaukee Bucks, finishing with three points and five rebounds across 10 minutes of play.[72][73] On April 16, he was waived by the Celtics.[74]
Wagner signed with theOrlando Magic for the rest of the2020-21 NBA season on April 27, 2021.[75] On April 28, he debuted for the Magic against theCleveland Cavaliers, Wagner scored two points, grabbed two rebounds and dished out an assist across nine minutes in a 109–104 win.[76] On May 1, he logged a season-high 24 points in his third game with the Magic. Wagner knocked down a 3-pointer that tied the game at 109 with 1 minute and 16 seconds left to play, contributing to the Magic's 112–111 win over theMemphis Grizzlies.[77][78][79] On August 23, he re-signed with Orlando.[80]
On December 29, 2022, Wagner was suspended by the NBA for two games without pay due to an altercation withDetroit Pistons guardKillian Hayes the day before.[81]
On July 6, 2023, Wagner signed a two-year, $16 million deal to return to theOrlando Magic.[82][83] He made 80 appearances (one start) for Orlando during the2023–24 NBA season, averaging 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. In 2024, Wagner's nickname preferences was clarified as "Moe" not "Mo", despite longstanding use of the latter by much of the press.[84]
On December 21, 2024, Wagner suffered a season–endingACL tear in left knee while playing against theMiami Heat. His diagnosis was announced the following day, along with news of an imminent surgery to correct the injury.[85] Wagner had once again operated as a back up prior to his injury, averaging 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 30 appearances (one start).
On July 4, 2025, Wagner re-signed with the Magic on a one-year, $5 million contract.[86]
Wagner won gold with the Germany U18 national team at the2014 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B in Bulgaria.[87] Averaging 16.1 points per contest, Wagner was Germany's leading scorer at the2017 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.[88]
Wagner helped Germany qualify for the2020 Summer Olympics, where he earned the MVP award in theOlympic qualifying tournament in Split, Croatia.[89] During the event in Tokyo, he averaged 11 points per game.[90] A few years later, in September 2023, Wagner helped Germany win their first world title at the2023 FIBA World Cup. He finished with averages of 11.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.[91]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | L.A. Lakers | 43 | 5 | 10.4 | .415 | .286 | .811 | 2.0 | .6 | .3 | .3 | 4.8 |
| 2019–20 | Washington | 45 | 5 | 18.6 | .545 | .313 | .821 | 4.9 | 1.2 | .6 | .4 | 8.7 |
| 2020–21 | Washington | 25 | 13 | 15.0 | .508 | .310 | .788 | 2.9 | 1.3 | .9 | .3 | 7.1 |
| Boston | 9 | 1 | 6.8 | .286 | .333 | .500 | 2.1 | .7 | .0 | .1 | 1.2 | |
| Orlando | 11 | 10 | 26.0 | .409 | .372 | .879 | 4.9 | 1.1 | .4 | .8 | 11.0 | |
| 2021–22 | Orlando | 63 | 3 | 15.2 | .497 | .328 | .806 | 3.7 | 1.4 | .3 | .2 | 9.0 |
| 2022–23 | Orlando | 57 | 18 | 19.5 | .500 | .313 | .841 | 4.5 | 1.5 | .6 | .2 | 10.5 |
| 2023–24 | Orlando | 80 | 1 | 17.7 | .601 | .330 | .814 | 4.3 | 1.2 | .5 | .3 | 10.9 |
| 2024–25 | Orlando | 30 | 1 | 18.8 | .562 | .360 | .718 | 4.9 | 1.4 | .8 | .4 | 12.9 |
| Career | 363 | 57 | 16.7 | .525 | .324 | .807 | 4.0 | 1.3 | .5 | .3 | 9.2 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Orlando | 7 | 0 | 15.0 | .444 | .222 | .588 | 4.4 | .3 | .9 | .4 | 6.3 |
| Career | 7 | 0 | 15.0 | .444 | .222 | .588 | 4.4 | .3 | .9 | .4 | 6.3 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Michigan | 30 | 0 | 8.6 | .607 | .167 | .556 | 1.6 | .1 | .2 | .2 | 2.9 |
| 2016–17 | Michigan | 38 | 38 | 23.9 | .560 | .395 | .726 | 4.2 | .5 | 1.0 | .4 | 12.1 |
| 2017–18 | Michigan | 39 | 39 | 27.6 | .528 | .394 | .694 | 7.1 | .8 | 1.0 | .5 | 14.6 |
| Career | 107 | 77 | 21.0 | .547 | .385 | .698 | 4.5 | .5 | .8 | .4 | 10.4 | |
Wagner has a younger brother,Franz, who is his teammate on the Orlando Magic and played basketball forMichigan.[92][93][94]
Wagner is a fan of theBundesliga football clubWerder Bremen.[95]
Moritz had a small role in the 2022 sports dramaHustle.[96]
In a corresponding roster move, the Celtics have waived center Moe Wagner.
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