On May 20, 2009, John Wall decided to take his talent and skill to the Kentucky Wildcats. A legendary collegiate program that had struggled for years finally had some hope and a new charismatic coach in John Calipari. In their first and only season together, they put Kentucky basketball back on the map with the likes of Eric Bledsoe, Demarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton.
Kentucky had missed out on the NCAA Tournament the season before and hadn’t won an SEC championship since 2004, which is completely unacceptable by the Wildcats standards.
In Wall’s first season the team went 32-2 during the regular season and won the SEC championship. Unfortunately their run would end short because of poor shooting in the Elite Eight to a hungry West Virginia team. But the fact that Wall was the star and led the team that earned a top-five ranking and rebounded from 13-win season speaks volumes.
Although the NBA is a completely different league, and Wall had help from some of his peers, it should be comforting for Wizards fans to know he’s been in a similar situation before.
Just like at Kentucky, the Wizards need a boost and something to get excited for. The Wizards has had pitiful back-to-back seasons that came on the heels of four consecutive playoff campaigns.
The Wizards have only six players under contract next season – Gilbert Arenas, JaVale McGee, Nick Young, Andray Blatche, Al Thornton and a pending qualifying offer to Randy Foye — so there are likely to be new faces all over the locker room.
The new scene, dying for some help, is something Wall handle.
“You know, that’s what I had to do at Kentucky,” Wall said. “Basically, me and the other recruits that came in we had to start all over because they had a downfall season. So if the Wizards pick me, then I’ll come in and try to help the team the best way I can.”
It is also good to know how he feels about Arenas: “I feel like if I get picked here and coach puts us on the court together it’ll work because I can play with anybody.”
— Nabeel Ahmadieh
