John Wall Retires from the NBA: "Leaving the Court"
Five-time NBA All-Star John Wall has announced his retirement from professional basketball. In a heartfelt Instagram video, the 34-year-old point guard stated, "Today, I leave the court and the game," expressing that it was time to move on to the "next chapter" of his life. Wall last played in the 2022/23 NBA season.
"I've been chasing the ball since I could barely walk. I've given everything I had to this sport," Wall shared. "Every jersey I wore meant more than wins and stats. It was about representing something bigger. Thank you for every applause, for every moment."
Selected first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, Wall played for the team until 2020 before joining the Houston Rockets. After sitting out the 2021/22 season, his contract with the Rockets was terminated. In the 2022/23 season, he played 34 games for the Los Angeles Clippers. Over his career, Wall appeared in 647 regular-season games and 37 playoff games.
Known for his explosive speed and playmaking ability, Wall was also the winner of the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest during the NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. Despite contemplating a return to the league earlier this year, Wall has now decided to retire.
