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.
Showing posts with label John Wall basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Wall basketball. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Uk recruit John Wall busted by police
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5075734/
Raleigh, N.C. — Local high school basketball standout John Wall, one of the nation's top uncommitted college prospects, has been cited with breaking and entering, Raleigh police said Monday.
Johnathan Hildred Wall, a 6-foot 4-inch playmaker, averaged 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh this past season. He is the No. 1-ranked point guard in the country by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Authorities said Wall, 18, of 537 E. Davie St., Raleigh, was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering in connection with an April 27 afternoon break-in at an unoccupied house for sale at 3924 Laurel Glen Drive in Raleigh.
"He was not arrested. He was simply given a citation that we are fully cooperating with the DA's office to resolve this matter as soon as possible," his attorney, Anna Smith, said.
Wall is being sought after by a number of colleges, including North Carolina State University and Duke University.
University of Memphis, University of Miami, Baylor University, University of Kansas and University of Kentucky are also pursuing him. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has expressed an interest.
Wall is expected to narrow his list of schools any day now. The signing period ends May 20.
Because NCAA rules prohibit schools from commenting officially on prospects, it's unclear how the citation could affect recruiting and Wall's decision.
But Dave Telep, national director of recruiting for men's basketball for Scout.com, said that unless "something bigger" comes of the charge, he doesn't see it as an issue.
"At this point, it doesn't look like it's going to adversely affect their recruiting of John," he told 99.9 FM The Fan ESPN Radio Monday afternoon after talking to two schools that are recruiting Wall.
"I wouldn't jump to conclusions," Telep told WRAL News. "It's a misdemeanor. It could be nothing more than a mistake."
Police said an officer saw Wall leaving from the rear of the residence around 12:30 p.m. and was able to detain him. There was no forced entry at the residence and no indication that anything was taken from it. Authorities would not say what he might have been doing there.
"I think John is a good kid. It doesn't feel right," added Telep, who has followed Wall for more than three years.
Two other people were also charged in the April 27 crime. Bria Renea Draughn, 16, of 3212 Harmony Court, Raleigh, was detained while walking along a nearby street. Reginald Leonard Jackson II, 17, of 108 Luxorwind Drive, Garner, was detained when he returned to the residence, police said.
Word of God principal Anesha Pittman had no comment Monday morning.
"You'll have to speak with his mother about that," she said.
Raleigh, N.C. — Local high school basketball standout John Wall, one of the nation's top uncommitted college prospects, has been cited with breaking and entering, Raleigh police said Monday.
Johnathan Hildred Wall, a 6-foot 4-inch playmaker, averaged 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh this past season. He is the No. 1-ranked point guard in the country by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Authorities said Wall, 18, of 537 E. Davie St., Raleigh, was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering in connection with an April 27 afternoon break-in at an unoccupied house for sale at 3924 Laurel Glen Drive in Raleigh.
"He was not arrested. He was simply given a citation that we are fully cooperating with the DA's office to resolve this matter as soon as possible," his attorney, Anna Smith, said.
Wall is being sought after by a number of colleges, including North Carolina State University and Duke University.
University of Memphis, University of Miami, Baylor University, University of Kansas and University of Kentucky are also pursuing him. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has expressed an interest.
Wall is expected to narrow his list of schools any day now. The signing period ends May 20.
Because NCAA rules prohibit schools from commenting officially on prospects, it's unclear how the citation could affect recruiting and Wall's decision.
But Dave Telep, national director of recruiting for men's basketball for Scout.com, said that unless "something bigger" comes of the charge, he doesn't see it as an issue.
"At this point, it doesn't look like it's going to adversely affect their recruiting of John," he told 99.9 FM The Fan ESPN Radio Monday afternoon after talking to two schools that are recruiting Wall.
"I wouldn't jump to conclusions," Telep told WRAL News. "It's a misdemeanor. It could be nothing more than a mistake."
Police said an officer saw Wall leaving from the rear of the residence around 12:30 p.m. and was able to detain him. There was no forced entry at the residence and no indication that anything was taken from it. Authorities would not say what he might have been doing there.
"I think John is a good kid. It doesn't feel right," added Telep, who has followed Wall for more than three years.
Two other people were also charged in the April 27 crime. Bria Renea Draughn, 16, of 3212 Harmony Court, Raleigh, was detained while walking along a nearby street. Reginald Leonard Jackson II, 17, of 108 Luxorwind Drive, Garner, was detained when he returned to the residence, police said.
Word of God principal Anesha Pittman had no comment Monday morning.
"You'll have to speak with his mother about that," she said.
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