LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- John Wall, the electrifying point guard who re-ignited Kentucky basketball under John Calipari and went on to become a five-time NBA All-Star, announced his retirement.
Wall, who turns 35 next month, revealed his decision Tuesday on social media. He hasn't played in the NBA since the 2022-23 season, his later years slowed by serious knee injuries that limited him to 147 games over the final six seasons of his career.
But for Kentucky fans, Wall will always be remembered as the recruit who signaled the Wildcats were "back." When he committed in May 2009 — weeks after Calipari took the job and DeMarcus Cousins pledged his future to the program — the buzz around UK basketball changed overnight.
His one season in Lexington lived up to the hype. Wall averaged 16.6 points and 6.5 assists, hit a game-winner in his debut, set the school single-game assists record and led Kentucky to a 35-3 record and an Elite Eight appearance. He was named SEC Player of the Year, a consensus first-team All-American and, in 2017, was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame.
The Washington Wizards made him the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, and he quickly became one of the league's fastest and most dynamic point guards. Across 13 seasons, Wall averaged 18.7 points and 8.9 assists, made five consecutive All-Star teams from 2014–18, earned All-NBA honors in 2017, and teamed with Bradley Beal to bring the Wizards back into playoff contention.
He also played briefly with Houston and the L.A. Clippers before injuries ended his time on the court.
"Every jersey I've worn meant more than wins and stats," Wall said in his announcement video. "It was about representing something bigger."
For Kentucky, that "something bigger" was a return to national prominence — and Wall's name will always be tied to the program's revival.
Congratulations on your retirement, @JohnWall.
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) August 19, 2025
- UK Athletics Hall-of-Famer
- National Player of the Year
- Consensus First Team All-American
- SEC Player of the Year
- SEC Freshman of the Year
- SEC Tournament MVP
- First Number One Overall NBA Draft Pick in Program History
-… pic.twitter.com/8ErdylwzN8
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