Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

No. 1 pick Wall is not lacking in confidence

NEW YORK - When NBA commissioner David Stern announced the forgone conclusion of John Wall as the No. 1 pick to the Washington Wizards, putting on the cap was more than a rite of passage. It symbolized how far Wall has come.

NEW YORK - When NBA commissioner David Stern announced the forgone conclusion of John Wall as the No. 1 pick to the Washington Wizards, putting on the cap was more than a rite of passage. It symbolized how far Wall has come.

It might be hard to believe, but the 6-4 dynamo of a guard was an afterthought only a few years ago. As a sophomore, he was cut from his Broughton High School team in North Carolina - just like Michael Jordan - because of attitude problems.

Getting cut is far in his rearview mirror.

"I thank God for having this opportunity for getting picked No. 1," Wall said, after sharing a hug with his mother. "It was emotional. I tried not to cry, but when I saw my mom, it almost brought tears to my eyes. Words can't even explain right now. Growing up, I lived in a tough neighborhood, getting in trouble in school especially when my dad passed . . .

"She was the first lady. She says, 'If you don't change your attitude, you'll never be nothing.' I love her to death."

After transferring to Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, Wall was highly touted when he arrived at the University of Kentucky. He met every expectation but an NCAA title for the Wildcats. He put up 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.

Wall comes with some question marks, though. He averaged four turnovers and often times relied on his long arms and quick feet to coast on defense. While many are impressed with his freakish ability, which includes a 39-inch vertical leap, Wall knows this will mean nothing when he faces such stars as Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

"I feel like I had pressure since I became No. 1 in high school and was one of the top players," he said. "I always got there hungry wanting to fight hard and compete in every game, so when I step on the court I'm going to take on any challenge there. I have to just go in and show those guys I'm willing to work and listen as much as I can and be a leader. The key is being a leader and trying to help [the Wizards] win games."

Finishing with a 26-56 record this season, Washington is banking on Wall to be a cornerstone of a franchise that is still haunted by the disappointing rookie season of Kwame Brown, who was chosen No. 1 overall in 2001.

It was evident the Wizards were in a complete rebuilding mode when they traded Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler this season.

Talented but maligned guard Gilbert Arenas is also a question. He not only has battled knee injuries during his career, he was suspended this season for bringing a gun into the locker room. He also recently was named one of the most hated men in sports by Forbes magazine.

Wall is excited to be a part of an infusion of young talent that includes promising incumbent Andray Blatche and thinks he can coexist with Arenas if he returns.

"I don't know what they are going to do, but I feel like we can play," he said of the Arenas situation. "With [Kentucky teammate] Eric Bledsoe, he needed the ball in his hands a lot, but we both did a great job this year. Let's hope, it's with me and some other guys picked this year [that] we change the organization on and off the court. I can't get frustrated if we are not winning that many games. You just have to stay confident and trust in your teammates."

As Wall walked to his news conference, a female fan screamed that she had touched his hand, the sort of thing you might see at a Prince concert.

Yes, things have changed for the young man who also will have to change his jersey number (Elvin Hayes' No. 11 is retired).

Wall, who has challenged President Obama to a game of one-on-one, owes some of the credit for his new life to watching highlight tapes of the game's greatest.

"Never in doubt," Wall said, explaining his confidence of getting to this moment. "Luckily, I watched the tape where Michael Jordan got cut. If he can get cut, it's not too bad for me to get cut." *