John Wall to UK

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4178271

Top point guard recruit John Wall has told Kentucky coach John Calipari that he will sign with the Wildcats, ending a highly publicized courtship with the game-changing player.

Wall, ranked the No. 1 point guard, No. 5 overall, in the ESPNU 100, informed Miami coach Frank Haith on Tuesday morning that he had committed to Kentucky. The reasoning, according to a source, was because he just wanted to play for Calipari.

"It's an exciting offense; I like the way coach Calipari has the point guard doing a lot of work," Wall told ESPNRISE.com's Chris Lawlor on Tuesday.

If Calipari had stayed as coach at Memphis, there would have been no drama in Wall's commitment. Privately, Calipari was convinced Wall would have chosen the Tigers, but the coach's departure to Kentucky created a soap opera in the renewed recruiting chase.


Adding another chip
Top 2009 recruit John Wall's commitment to Kentucky is the latest development in a remarkable stretch for John Calipari, writes Paul Biancardi of Scouts Inc. Story

Wall teased Duke, and actually gave Miami an informal commitment last week, according to a source close to the situation. But ultimately, the Word of God Christian Academy playmaker out of Raleigh, N.C., didn't stray from his original plan: He chose to play for Calipari; it's just that the pursuit for a national title will be out of Lexington instead of Memphis.

Kentucky adds Wall to another top-10 recruit, 6-foot-9 DeMarcus Cousins of LeFlore (Mobile, Ala.).

Wall and Cousins have said they would have signed with Calipari at Memphis.

"It's a new beginning for all of us; there's a lot of talent," Wall said.

Wall was impressed by Calipari's work at Memphis, especially the last two years, with 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and All-America guard Tyreke Evans, who declared for the NBA draft after one season.

"Coach Calipari pushes his players, and that's why his teams are successful," Wall said. "Some compare me to Derrick Rose, and that's a compliment. In the last two years, he's helped Derrick and Tyreke become top-10 picks in the NBA draft. He's helped them reach that level, but I'm reaching my goal of playing college basketball."

According to sources, moving from Memphis to Lexington had been an issue for Wall's adviser, Brian Clifton, who likely will be the one to represent Wall when the player eventually declares for the NBA draft.

A source close to the situation at Duke said multiple times that if Clifton were making the call, Duke would have been selected. But according to sources, Wall made the decision.

"He did his due diligence when it came to recruiting," Clifton told ESPNRISE.com. "He likes Cal's style of play and is excited about the opportunity to display his creativity. John has a chance to take college basketball by storm."

Duke was hoping to be Wall's choice because his mother has had health problems, and the Blue Devils had no issue recruiting a player who is projected to leave after his freshman season.

In the meantime, Wall had strung Miami along after a recruiting visit in late April, feeling comfortable enough with Haith and the team to make the Hurricanes a compromise choice.

Wall would have made Duke an instant title contender and clearly would have elevated Miami into an NCAA tournament team. Florida had made a run at him, but the Gators couldn't get Wall to make a visit.


Chris Williams/Icon SMI
John Wall had made two unofficial visits to Kentucky when Billy Gillispie was still the coach.
Earlier in the year, Clifton's brother, Dwon, was hired as director of player development at Baylor, creating a stir.

Wall even had made two unofficial visits to Kentucky when Billy Gillispie was still the coach.