History of John Wall in Timeline

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1975: Franchise First Triple Overtime

In 1975, the Wizards played their first triple overtime game until February 27, 2014.

September 6, 1990: John Wall Born

On September 6, 1990, Johnathan Hildred Wall Jr. was born in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Others born on this day/year

August 24, 1999: Father's Release from Prison

On August 24, 1999, John Wall's father was released from prison after serving time for armed robbery.

2007: Reebok All-American Camp

In the summer of 2007, Wall attended the Reebok All-American Camp in Philadelphia, scoring 28 points against a team featuring Brandon Jennings.

2008: Elite 24 Hoops Classic

In 2008, Wall played in the Elite 24 Hoops Classic, scoring 10 points and winning co-MVP honors.

April 2009: Declared Ineligible for NBA Draft

In April 2009, John Wall announced he would not enter the 2009 NBA draft, where he was expected to be the first player taken, and would attend Kentucky instead.

May 19, 2009: Commitment to Kentucky

On May 19, 2009, John Wall announced his commitment to attend the University of Kentucky.

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.

June 25, 2010: John Wall Day in D.C.

On June 25, 2010, Mayor Adrian Fenty of Washington, D.C., declared June 25 John Wall Day.

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.

2012: Knee Injury

In 2012, John Wall missed the beginning of the season because of a knee injury.

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.

2015: Four Game Losing Streak

During the 2015-16 season, the Wizards went on a four game losing streak, with Wall averaging 15.0 points, 5.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

2016: Knee Surgeries

In 2016, John Wall had off-season surgery on both knees and was rested in back-to-back games to limit his minutes.

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.

March 11, 2017: 39 Points in Overtime Win Against Trail Blazers

On March 11, 2017, John Wall scored 39 points in a 125–124 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

May 2017: Brand Ambassador for New Era Caps

In May 2017, John Wall signed on as a brand ambassador for New Era caps.

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.

September 22, 2017: Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame Induction

On September 22, 2017, John Wall was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.

2017: All-NBA Team

In 2017, John Wall was named to the All-NBA Team.

January 30, 2018: Sidelined Due to Knee Surgery

On January 30, 2018, John Wall was sidelined for six-to-eight weeks due to his troublesome left knee requiring surgery.

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.

2019: Injuries

In 2019, John Wall experienced multiple injuries, leading to him missing more than two years of basketball.

March 11, 2020: NBA Season Suspended Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the 2019–20 NBA season was suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.