Retired! Farewell to the number one pick! Of the 2010 NBA draft class, only one player still has an NBA contract!

John Wall, the top pick in the 2010 NBA draft, has officially retired, ending an 11-season run in the league.

This announcement isn’t unexpected.

After all, his last NBA game was in the 2022-23 season. In the 2022 offseason, he joined the Clippers on a small contract, was traded to the Rockets halfway through the season, and was subsequently released by the team.

Starting in 2024, Wall became a G League commentator and also appeared as an analyst on NBA TV shows.

This official statement is really just a formality at this point.

Throughout his 11-season career, this number one pick made five All-Star teams, played for the Wizards, Rockets, and Clippers, appeared in 647 games, and averaged 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. In 37 playoff games, he averaged 21.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.7 steals. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team once, the All-Defensive Second Team once, and the All-Rookie First Team in 2010-11.

The “King of Washington” who once jumped onto the broadcast table to celebrate during the 2017 playoffs, was at one time the best point guard in the East, competing with Kyrie Irving.

Speed and explosiveness were Wall’s trademarks—he was once considered the fastest man in the NBA (or at least one of them).

With his speed, had he trained for it, he could have been a sprinter in track and field...

There was a famous commercial where someone throws a basketball from one baseline to the other, and Wall and the ball start at the same time—Wall actually beats the ball to the other end.

Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career.

In December 2018, Wall’s season ended early due to a left heel injury.

In January 2019, after undergoing surgery on his left heel, Wall developed an infection at the incision site. Later, he slipped while showering at home and ruptured his Achilles tendon, causing him to miss the entire 2019-20 season.

This became the major turning point of his professional journey.

His path mirrored that of many other players:

For those who rely on speed, learning to slow down and adjust their game is a constant challenge and essential for career longevity.

Objectively, Wall’s career didn’t quite live up to expectations, as his main weakness—lack of shooting ability—was apparent.

And even at his peak, when he and Beal formed a dynamic backcourt, they had to face the best version of LeBron James...

They really had no chance against him.

After retirement, Wall will remain involved in basketball.

In addition to his media work, as early as 2020 he joined the ownership group of the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Australia, becoming one of the team’s shareholders.

Wall joined the ownership group alongside familiar names like Zach Randolph, Al Harrington, Josh Childress, and Dante Exum.

He’s not one of those NBA players without a plan for the future.

He’s set for life and can enjoy his post-basketball days without financial worries.

Back in 2022, Wall wrote an article on The Players’ Tribune titled “I’M STILL HERE.”

He revealed that he had struggled with severe mental health issues, contemplated suicide twice, and even put a gun to his own head, but ultimately decided against it for the sake of his two children’s future.

Within just three years, Wall went through major life changes.

First, after a Game 7 loss in the 2017 playoffs, he was seen as the Wizards’ leader and a hero to the city, about to sign a max contract; then he suffered a torn Achilles and a severe post-surgery infection, facing the risk of amputation. The heaviest blow came when his beloved mother passed away from breast cancer.

He emphasized that sharing his story was meant to raise awareness about mental health and encourage others who are struggling to seek professional help.

He has also been an advocate for improving the NBA’s mental health support system for players.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the 2010 NBA draft class, the one called out by David Stern, seems almost cursed by fate.

Talented players like Wall, Cousins, Hayward, and Bledsoe emerged, but many couldn’t reach their full potential due to serious injuries...

Players such as Turner, Bradley, Whiteside, and Stephenson have all either retired or left the NBA.

Now that Wall has announced he’s “stepping away,”Paul George is the only member of the 2010 draft class still active with an NBA contract.

George’s four-year, $212 million contract still has three seasons remaining, with a salary of $51.67 million next year.

As a player who also suffered a major injury (a broken leg), George—picked 10th overall—has achieved remarkable success in the league...

That is definitely another kind of accomplishment.