Staff video by Travis Long
RALEIGH — John Wall made it official in front of a room full of reporters and seven video cameras this afternoon.
At a news conference at the Word of God Academy gym today, Wall confirmed that he has chosen to play at Kentucky for coach John Calipari.
“It was just so tough to choose one,” Wall said at the news conference.
Wall told The News & Observer and some other media outlets Tuesday that he had chosen Kentucky. That ended a long, strange recruiting saga that had left him as one of the few remaining top prospects in the Class of 2010 who hadn’t chosen a school.
Scout.com ranks Wall as the No. 2 prospect in the class behind South Atlanta power forward Derrick Favors. Rivals.com rates Wall as the nation’s top player.
He considered Duke, Miami, N.C. State, Baylor, Kansas and Florida in addition to Kentucky before making his decision. His commitment in Calipari’s first weeks on the job strengthens a recruiting class that scout.com analyst Dave Telep said could be one of the best ever.
Power forward DeMarcus Cousins of Mobile, Ala., and center Daniel Orton of Oklahoma City also are considered top-20 prospects nationally and are the other headliners in the class.
At 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds, Wall could follow the path of Derrick Rose, who played point guard for Calipari at Memphis in 2007-08. Rose led Memphis to the 2008 NCAA championship game as a freshman, then was selected No. 1 overall in the NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
Wall said his relationship with Calipari played a significant role in his decision. Wall said Calipari’s dribble drive motion offense fits his skills, and said he hopes to have the same kind of success as Rose.
“He’s just a great coach of point guards,” Wall said. “He knows what he’s doing to get me to the next level.”
Comments
Congratulations, John Wall.
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 20:53 — downeasterman09Congratulations, John Wall. At Kentucky you'll have a great coach with NBA chops, athletic teammates to make you even better, the best facilities in the nation, rabid fans who will turn out 23,000 strong for even the "minor" games, a shot at a national championship in your first year, and a solid education for however long you stay. Smart move, young man. Best wishes for your success in basketball and in life. Use your talents to entertain and to help others less fortunate and less gifted than you.
Bye bye Mr. One-and-Done
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 18:08 — avg_joeWall should just head straight to the NBA. What is he really going to do with a college education?
Good
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:13 — esteban1949I am glad that Michael Vick wanna be is leaving here...and if ever screws up there in lexington...trust me...those people don't care if you are the president of the usa...they will lock you up...period...Bye,Bye...so long mr.wall...