Career Timeline of John Wall: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of John Wall, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
John Wall is an American professional basketball player, primarily a point guard. He was the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, selected by the Washington Wizards after a year at the University of Kentucky. Wall became a five-time NBA All-Star (2014-2018) and earned All-NBA Team honors in 2017 while playing for the Wizards. Injuries sidelined him for over two years, leading to a trade to the Houston Rockets in December 2020. He later played for the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded back to the Rockets and subsequently reaching a buyout in February 2023.
December 29, 2009: Kentucky Assist Record
On December 29, 2009, against Hartford, John Wall set the Kentucky single-game assist record with 16.
2009: High School Senior Year
In 2009, as a fifth-year senior, Wall averaged 19.7 points, nine assists, and over eight rebounds, leading his team to the North Carolina Class 1A state championship game.
April 7, 2010: Declared for NBA Draft
On April 7, 2010, John Wall announced that he would forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2010 NBA draft.
June 23, 2010: Signed with Reebok
On June 23, 2010, Reebok revealed John Wall as its latest signing, casting him as the face of its latest basketball shoe, the ZigTech Slash.
June 24, 2010: Drafted #1 Overall by Wizards
On June 24, 2010, John Wall was drafted as the first overall pick by the Washington Wizards.
2010: Drafted #1 Overall
In 2010, John Wall was drafted as the first overall pick by the Washington Wizards after playing for the Kentucky Wildcats.
2010: Las Vegas Summer League MVP
In 2010, John Wall was named the Most Valuable Player of the Las Vegas Summer League.
2011: Played in all Wizards Games
In 2011, John Wall played in and started all of the Wizards' 66 games during the lockout shortened season and was selected to play in the NBA All-Star Weekend Rising Stars Challenge.
2011: Named Rookie Game MVP
John Wall was named 2011 Rookie Game MVP during the 2011 All-Star Weekend.
July 31, 2013: Contract Extension
On July 31, 2013, John Wall signed a five-year contract extension worth approximately $80 million with the Wizards.
January 22, 2014: Recorded Second Career Triple-Double
On January 22, 2014, John Wall recorded his second career triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in an overtime loss to the Boston Celtics.
January 30, 2014: First All-Star Selection
On January 30, 2014, John Wall was selected as an Eastern Conference reserve for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star selection.
February 27, 2014: Won Triple Overtime Game Against Raptors
On February 27, 2014, John Wall had 31 points and nine assists as the Wizards won a triple overtime game against the Raptors 134–129, the franchise's first triple-overtime game since 1975.
March 1, 2014: Career High Assists
On March 1, 2014, John Wall recorded a then career-high 16 assists, along with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
December 8, 2014: Career High Assists
On December 8, 2014, John Wall recorded 26 points, seven rebounds, three steals and a then career-high 17 assists in a win over the Boston Celtics and dedicated the win to his friend Damiyah Telemaque-Nelson, who had died of cancer earlier that day.
2014: NBA All-Star
In 2014, John Wall was selected as an NBA All-Star, starting a streak that lasted until 2018.
January 22, 2015: Named All-Star Starter
On January 22, 2015, John Wall was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, earning his first starting gig.
March 14, 2015: Tied Season High
On March 14, 2015, John Wall tied his season-high of 31 points while adding 12 assists in a win over the Sacramento Kings.
January 2, 2017: Eastern Conference Player of the Week
On January 2, 2017, John Wall was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, December 26 through Sunday, January 1.
January 6, 2017: Season-High Assists Against Timberwolves
On January 6, 2017, John Wall recorded 18 points and a season-high 18 assists in a 112–105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
February 28, 2017: Career-High Assists Tied Against Warriors
On February 28, 2017, John Wall tied his career high with 19 assists in a 112–108 win over the Golden State Warriors.
July 26, 2017: Contract Extension with the Wizards
On July 26, 2017, John Wall signed a four-year, $170 million contract extension with the Wizards.
November 26, 2018: Wall Passes Unseld on Scoring List
On November 26, 2018, in a 135–131 overtime win over the Houston Rockets, John Wall passed Wes Unseld for third place on the franchise career scoring list.
2018: NBA All-Star
In 2018, John Wall was an NBA All-Star, ending a streak that started in 2014.
December 2, 2020: Traded to the Houston Rockets
On December 2, 2020, John Wall, along with a 2023 lottery-protected first-round pick, were traded to the Houston Rockets for Russell Westbrook.
December 2020: Traded to Rockets
In December 2020, John Wall was traded to the Houston Rockets.
March 22, 2021: First Triple-Double Since 2016
On March 22, 2021, John Wall logged his eighth career triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 117–99 win over the Toronto Raptors, ending the team's 20-game losing streak. It was his first triple-double since 2016.
June 28, 2022: Contract Buyout Agreement with Rockets
On June 28, 2022, John Wall and the Rockets reached a contract buyout agreement.
July 8, 2022: Signs with the Los Angeles Clippers
On July 8, 2022, John Wall signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
2022: Joined the Clippers
In the 2022 off-season, John Wall joined the Los Angeles Clippers via free agency.
February 9, 2023: Traded Back to Rockets and Waived
On February 9, 2023, John Wall was traded back to the Houston Rockets and was waived three days later.
February 2023: Reached Buyout
In February 2023, John Wall reached a buyout with the Houston Rockets after being dealt back to them.
