John Wall Seeking NBA Opportunity: ‘I Still Have the Hunger’

Free agent point guard John Wall just wants a place to continue his career and is willing to go to a land down under to see if he can make it happen.

Actually, Wall is part-owner of the Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian NBL, so it makes sense he would pay a visit. He didn’t work out with the team there, though he did reportedly go through some individual drills.

Wall, 33, very clearly feels he still has something to offer. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, he averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists in 34 games with the Clippers last season. But he was traded to the Rockets in February, immediately waived, and hasn’t played since.

“I love the game, I still get up every morning at 6 am, work out,” he said, via BasketNews. “I’m still dedicated to getting back in, I think something will happen soon. For me, I still love the grind, I still love to get up and put the work in.

“You just saw me work out for an hour, hour-thirty. No matter what, I still love the game. If I still have the hunger and desire to be [in the NBA], I’ll continue to chase my dream to get back in. It’s just being patient, staying ready, and just letting God do his work, and being ready whenever your name is called.”

Wall spent the first nine years of his career with the Wizards before suffering an Achilles injury. He then spent a year playing for the Rockets — then reached agreement with the team to sit out the next season (2019-20) as it sought a trade. One never came, and Wall eventually ended up with the Clippers.

@SEMelbPhoenix owner @JohnWall hit the boards with his players today, and barely missed a shot. The former top draft pick is in town for this weekend and he's still eyeing a return to the big league | @BaumgartelSteph @10SportAU @NBL pic.twitter.com/UDpESMMkJP

— 10 News First Melbourne (@10NewsFirstMelb) November 10, 2023