Former Wizards All-Star John Wall made his retirement official on Tuesday.
The former No. 1 pick hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since January 2023, but had lobbied for another shot in the league.
“Today, I’m stepping off the court but not away from the game. Basketball will always be in my life. New opportunities present themselves,” the Kentucky product said in a video posted to Instagram. “I feel now is the time to walk confidently into my next chapter. Thank you for every cheer, every moment. Retired, but never done. I’m doing it the Wall way.”
He retires as Washington’s all-time leader in assists and steals. He ranks fourth in team history in points.
“One of the most elite, dominant and game-changing figures the league has ever seen,” longtime teammate Bradley Beal wrote of Wall on X. “Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and pushing me to be the best I can be. There is no BB without Dub!”
Wall was a dynamic presence after the Wizards drafted him No. 1 overall in 2010. The five-time All-Star led Washington to four postseason appearances in 10 years, including the franchise’s most recent playoff series win in 2017.
“We knew we were getting an elite point guard to join the Wizards ranks … and we ended up with so much more. Ten years of John Wall on the Wizards and a legacy to last a lifetime,” Wizards owner Ted Leonsis wrote on X. “Our DC fans adored John for the player he was on the court and the person he is off of it.”
In his best season, Wall averaged 23.1 points and 10.7 assists for the Wizards in 2016-17 and was named All-NBA third team. He was the 2014 Slam Dunk champion. He was also an elite defender, making the All-Defensive second team in 2015.
“I’ve been chasing a ball since I could barely walk. Driveways, parks, packed gyms, 5 a.m. workouts. I gave this game everything I had from Raleigh to Kentucky to the league,” Wall said. “Every jersey I wore meant more than just wins and stats; it was about representing something bigger. It’s something I couldn’t do without you.”
Wall’s Wizards career ended as injuries caused him to miss 91 games in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns. He didn’t play in the 2019-20 season. He finishes his 11-year NBA career with averages of 18.7 points and 8.9 assists per game.
The team eventually traded him to the Houston Rockets for fellow guard Russell Westbrook. Wall never matched his All-Star potential in Houston or his final stop in 2022-23 with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Since his last NBA game, Wall has served as a commentator on G-League broadcasts and appeared as an analyst on NBA TV. The 34-year-old didn’t say where he was headed next but said of supporters, “You made me feel unstoppable.”
— This article was based in part on wire service reports.