ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – John Wall was at the G League Winter Show last year, trying, hoping to get back in the game.
He did the same thing this year, without stepping on the court.
The No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA draft and five-time All-Star made his announcement this weekend, handling analyst duties for a pair of games at the G League event in Orlando. He has not officially retired as an actor but he knows that the time is coming when he will have to think about what to do next, and broadcasting is clearly his calling.
“I’m always going to challenge myself,” Wall said. “I can improve a lot. I’m learning more and more, but for me, it’s about basketball – what I love to do. What I do when I’m at home, watching with my friends and kids.”
The idea was born in a simple way. When he’s at home in Miami, watching the games with his friends or his kids, apparently they all end up saying the same thing to him.
“They were like, ‘Shut up and let’s see,'” Wall said.
With that said, the knowledge of going to TV – where speaking is encouraged – apparently makes sense. It played two back-to-back games on Saturday, basically broadcasting for five consecutive hours with only a 20-minute break between games.
Odi talks about games the way a famous player would, breaking down defenses in real time, explaining concepts and dropping in a few anecdotes. When an Iowa player gets hit in the mouth during a game against Sioux Falls, Wall spends a minute or so telling a story about what it’s like to go straight to the dentist after a game after being hit.
He said he enjoyed the opportunity.
“I was here last year working for a couple teams,” Wall said. “I was on another court, working out before the games. That was fun. This is fun.”
Wall is 34, still looks good, still plays regularly at the University of Miami and says he would give anything for another chance in the NBA. He was selected for the All-Star Game in five consecutive seasons for Washington from 2014 through 2018, even while dealing with some injuries during that time – including those that required surgeries on both knees in 2016.
But six years ago this week, he was scheduled to have season-ending surgery to address issues with his left heel. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in 2019, requiring another year of rehabilitation. He never played for the Wizards again and has been limited to 74 games since with Houston and the Los Angeles Clippers.
You can play, too. Wall averaged 16.3 points and 6.1 assists in those stints with the Rockets and Clippers. Hair is the start of his last season with the Clippers, and Wall has not played a game since January 13, 2023.
“You do everything you can to take care of yourself, and injuries are part of the game of basketball,” Wall said. “Yes, I thought about this. In the time I had, I enjoyed it. I was sad at other times. But God does not make mistakes.”
It’s unclear what’s next for Wall. The broadcast gig at the G League event is a one-day event, and is open to more. In the meantime, he’ll continue to work in Coral Gables and hope a team gives him one more shot.
“It means the world,” Wall said. “You want to go out on your own terms. I want to finish it the way I want. If I play my last game, I want to leave the court on my way. “
