With true love for the game and what it brings, players often hit the stage of retirement but still want to feel close to the game. Their experience could lead to coaching positions at mid-major levels and opportunities to work in the media, utilizing their voice to cover the NBA with passion and expertise.
Furthermore, many players understand that their playing days will not last forever; thus, numerous stars opt to pursue their education while competing for an NBA championship, demonstrating a remarkable ability to balance competing priorities.
A former LA Clipper who took the smart route of going back to school, where he was a basketball phenom, is John Wall. He had one of the greatest college mixtapes in history, which was followed by growth into becoming a superstar for the Washington Wizards; yet, he ultimately wanted to have a backup plan to keep himself busy once retirement turned the corner.
Well, the playing days for Wall came to an end on Tuesday, capping off a career that millions of fans and multiple organizations celebrated deeply. In fact, the last game he ever played was on the Clippers, where he threw down a monster poster at the age of 34.
Moreover, Wall had been a free agent since. Although he chose to conclude his eleventh active season in the league, he recently accepted a surprising job offer that no one knew he could be interested in.
Former LA Clippers point guard John Wall joins NBA on Amazon Prime as an analyst
John Wall’s background and resume would likely attract numerous high schools and colleges, as well as potential professional assistant positions, worldwide as a coach. He played 11 seasons as a professional and was a five-time all-star, giving him the utmost credibility.
However, with a degree from the University of Kentucky, John Wall willingly kept his presence close to the league by becoming an analyst for the NBA. This was announced around noon yesterday by various sources, including the former first-overall pick himself.
Changing career paths from one side of the NBA to another will be exciting, as he may have a unique perspective on the way teams are playing now, with a credible outlook on advanced metrics due to his years in the league.
That said, most fans may not have expected Wall to become an analyst, but there were hints that major news was coming within the retirement video he and other outlets posted to social media.