KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — A University of Kentucky legend announced on Tuesday that he is hanging up his sneakers and calling it a career after 11 seasons in the NBA.
Despite not appearing in an NBA game in two years, the former Wildcat megastar announced his retirement in a video posted on social media Tuesday morning.
After bringing a sense of flash and glamor that had been lacking to the Wildcats in former coach John Calipari’s inaugural season, Wall was drafted with the first overall pick by the Washington Wizards in 2010.
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In his lone season with the Wildcats, Wall led the team with 16.6 points per game while chipping in 4.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists. The polarizing 2009-2010 Cats’ season ended with a heartbreaking loss in the Elite 8 to West Virginia.
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NBA commissioner David Stern, left, poses with the No. 1 overall draft pick, John Wall, of Kentucky, who was selected by the Washington Wizards in the first round of the NBA basketball draft Thursday, June 24, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
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Los Angeles Clippers guard John Wall goes to the basket for lay up during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
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Los Angeles Clippers guard John Wall (11) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Jordan Goodwin during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
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FILE – Former Kentucky player John Wall is introduced to the crowd during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Miami and Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 28, 2023. Kentucky won 95-73. (AP Photo/James Crisp, File)
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LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 05: John Wall #11 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball while defended by Marcus Ginyard #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the game on December 5, 2009 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 68-66. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 23: John Wall #11 of the Kentucky Wildcats dunks the ball during the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at Rupp Arena on December 23, 2009 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 23: John Wall #11 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during the SEC game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on January 23, 2010 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 101-70. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 02: John Wall #11 of the Kentucky Wildcats dunks the ball during the SEC game against the Ole Miss Rebels on February 2, 2010 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 85-75. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 13: John Wall #11 of the Kentucky Wilcats dunks the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers on February 13, 2010 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
His UK accolades include:
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UK Athletics hall of famer
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Consensus First-Team All-American
Wall said he’s finished playing professional basketball in his video, but he described himself as “retired, but never done.”
Through his professional career, Wall averaged 18.7 points and 8.9 assists per game and is regarded as one of the most explosive guards to play the game.
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As a pro, he was named to the All-Star Game five times and was named to the All-Rookie NBA First Team.
The Washington Wizards took to X to commemorate Wall’s playing career, calling him “one of our franchise’s all-time greats” and saying he was a “forever Wizard.”
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