Calipari has seen, coached, and faced a lot of talented players over the years, but when it comes to the best point guard he has ever coached, the answer is clear for the 66-year-old.

On Wednesday, the Arkansas coach caused a stir among college basketball fans when he named the two best PGs he had under his wing. With huge names such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Maxey, or De’Aaron Fox, many would expect him to pick an active NBA player.

John Calipari gushes about Derrick Rose and John Wall

Calipari took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his opinion on this matter, going with Derrick Rose and John Wall as the two best PGs he ever coached.

“Two of the best point guards and best teammates that I have ever coached. What I am most proud of is the men they have become. I can’t wait to see the impact they have with the rest of their lives!” Calipari tweeted.

Calipari coached Memphis from 2000 through 2009, taking a young but dominant Derrick Rose under his guidance. Rose led the Tigers to the 2008 national championship game before becoming the No. 1 selection in that year’s draft.

John Wall only spent a season with Kentucky in 2010, putting on remarkable numbers, becoming a consensus All-American, making it to the SEC All-Freshman team, and becoming the SEC tournament MVP on his way to the NBA.

After an 11-year career, whose last team was the Los Angeles Clippers, Wall couldn’t make a return to the league and decided to look for new challenges. Added to his work with Amazon, the former Washington Wizards star is planning to return to Kentucky to help Mark Pope prepare the new generation of players.

Wall played one season with the Wildcats, averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, shooting 46.1% from the field, 32.5% from deep and 75.4% from the free-throw line. He’s now set to help Pope and teased a potential return to Lexington as soon as this fall.

John Wall plans to return to Kentucky

While John Calipari isn’t in front of the team anymore, Wall still has a strong relationship with the school. He said they allowed him to fulfill his dreams and now wants to give back.

“Kentucky’s always home for me. There’s always love. That’s the school I went to, the jersey I put on,” said Wall. “They gave me the opportunity to reach one of my goals and dreams in life to play college basketball, and play on one of the biggest levels for one of the best schools in the country, and a good opportunity to go to the league. So yeah, I’m definitely coming back.”

Additionally, Wall said Pope extended him an invitation to work out with the new guys.

“Mark Pope wrote me this year to ask if I’d come down for the summer if I get the opportunity to play some pick-up or just work out with some of the guys, and I’m gonna try to find time,” Wall told Jones.

John Wall was one of the greatest players in program history, and it’s refreshing to see him go back to his home and give back to the Wildcats after all these years.

NBA on Prime announced via its official X account (formerly Twitter) that Wall will be joining the platform as an analyst as part of the league’s new 11-year media rights deal.

The NBA confirmed that Prime Video and NBC will become its new broadcast partners beginning next season, and NBC revealed that Michael Jordan will headline its coverage as a special contributor.

Meanwhile, Prime Video is building a star-studded analyst team that already includes Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Blake Griffin, Candace Parker, and now, John Wall.

Wall on joining NBA on Prime

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft never captured a championship or an MVP award, but he brought explosive playmaking to the floor and earned widespread admiration across the league.

The former Wizards, Rockets, and Clippers guard expressed excitement about remaining connected to the game even in retirement, noting that he looks forward to learning in his new role and providing fans with an authentic perspective on the NBA.

“After 13 seasons in the NBA filled with unforgettable moments, I am excited to start a new chapter with NBA on Prime,” Wall said in a press release. “This change is not just a career move; it’s a chance to stay close to the game I love and share the insights I’ve gained throughout my career playing point guard at the highest level”.

“Basketball has shaped my life, and now I can help fans see it from a new angle. Although this is a new journey, my passion for the game remains unchanged. I look forward to growing in this role, learning from the team around me, and, most importantly, giving viewers real, behind-the-scenes knowledge that comes from competing at the highest level,” he added.

Led by coach John Calipari, Wall and the Kentucky Wildcats were one of the strongest, deepest, and most talented teams we’ve seen in the history of college basketball.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to lead them to a national championship. But after all these years, Wall is still proud to be a Wildcat. That’s why coach Mark Pope hooked him up with some gear, and he took to social media to thank them.

John Wall is ‘always reppin’ Kentucky blue

“Always reppin!!” Wall wrote on the post. “Appreciate the love (Mark Pope) and & (Kentucky).”

Wall has repeatedly talked about his days in Lexington and how much he learned while playing for Coach Calipari. His NBA career was cut short early, but he was one of the best players of his generation.

The Wildcats may no longer have the best prospect in the nation, but they will continue to be a force to be reckoned with, and Wall will be there to root for them through thick and thin.

During a recent live stream, Irving was highly complimentary of John Wall. “Let me give John his flowers,” the Dallas Mavericks star said. “He definitely set a precedent, set the example a year before of being a No. 1 pick, being a point guard, being everything that you could want, and being an exciting guard in the NBA.”

Indeed, Wall entered the league in 2010 as the first overall pick of the draft, chosen by the Washington Wizards. Just one year later, Kyrie followed the same path with Cleveland, which meant both players’ careers ran in parallel for years in the NBA.

“You gotta think, both of us came on to the scene later on in the rankings. And for us to go back-to-back as point guards in the NBA? That was generational. I don’t think it’ll ever be a run like that again of two point guards going back-to-back No. 1 picks in the best league in the world,” the 2012 Rookie of the Year reflected.

“So many great matchups against him. So many great moments of just us being ultra competitive because we knew our towns, the hood back at home was talking like, who is better between us two,” Irving recalled.

While Wall stayed in Washington from 2010 to 2020, Irving played with the Cavaliers until 2017 and then had shorter stints with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. For nearly a decade, they were direct rivals in the Eastern Conference, though they never met in the playoffs.

Still, those battles meant a lot to Kyrie, who now reflects on those moments as crucial for his development as an elite player. “It made me who I am today. It helped shape my competitive drive,” said the 33-year-old guard. “So, I definitely gotta give him his flowers, man.”

After those years of rivalry with Irving, Wall suffered a series of injuries that affected his career and stalled his hopes of establishing himself as a dominant NBA player. After leaving Washington in 2020, John joined the Houston Rockets, where he played just 40 games in the 2020-21 season. Following a brief stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, the guard has been out of NBA action for over two years.

The Wildcats eventually lost to Baylor, but Wall had one of the best seasons by any freshman in recent history, averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on 46% shooting.

That’s why he was the consensus first-overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, and while, after all these years, he still cherishes his days at Lexington and continues to root heavily for the Wildcats.

John Wall will always be there for the Wildcats

“Kentucky’s always home for me. There’s always love. That’s the school I went to, the jersey I put on. They gave me the opportunity to reach one of my goals and dreams in life to play college basketball, and play on one of the biggest levels for one of the best schools in the country, and a good opportunity to go to the league. So yeah, I’m definitely coming back,” he told Matt Jones of KSR.

The Wildcats knocked on the door of a championship with Wall at the helm, but even though they couldn’t go all the way while he was there, he still went down as one of the greatest players in program history.

It’s a shame that injuries got the best of him while he was still in his prime, as there was a time when he was one of the prime playmakers and best point guards in the world.

That’s why some people were so worried about the future of the program once he left to join the Arkansas Razorbacks, thinking they would lose their magic and recruiting pedigree.

However, as much as things are tough in transition years, Mark Pope did a solid job in his first year in charge. That’s why former NBA star John Wall, one of Calipari’s top recruits, had to give him his flowers.

John Wall gives Mark Pope his stamp of approval

“I’m happy for Mark Pope. I got an opportunity to meet him this past summer, or last summer, in Indiana when it was an EYBL tournament going on. Talked to him for a little bit. He got off to a hot start, I think a couple of injuries kind of slowed their team down. But for your first year to go that far that’s great. They got a lot of great pieces coming in this year with some good pieces coming back,” Wall told Matt Jones of KSR.

Of course, Pope will have some big shoes to fill, and it will be easier said than done, but he knew that when he took the job, so that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Even so, while the team didn’t go the distance this season, he did a great job with the hand he was given, and there are reasons to have some faith about this program in the future.

John Wall hasn’t played pro basketball since February 2022, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of shape. During that time, he’s been working out to stay in shape, but so far the search for a new NBA team has been unsuccessful.

However, he is an experienced veteran who could contribute a lot to the young teams within the league that are in need of a mentor for their new stars. John Wall played 10 years for the Washington Wizards, two for the Houston Rockets and one for the Los Angeles Clippers.

It is highly likely that he will have a new team for the 2023-2024 season, but it will all depend on how much money Wall is willing to accept. Some teams are financially short, and he could be asking for over $20 million.

Where will the John Wall private workout be?

According to Chris Haynes, on July 9, 2023, John Wall will be holding a private workout in Las Vegas, Nevada. Multiple NBA teams will be present to check his skills and shape. The teams that have been invited to the workout have not yet been announced.

One of the teams where John Wall could fit perfectly is the Charlotte Hornets. They have a roster full of talented young players who would welcome his experience with open arms. However, it is also unlikely that Wall would settle for a bench position.

The Dubs’ home/road splits have been atrocious for most of the season. They already brought Gary Payton II back to try and help with their defense, but he’s expected to miss at least four more weeks with a core injury.

With that in mind, we wouldn’t be shocked to see them dig deep into the buyout market to try and round up their roster. The Warriors still have one open roster spot, and no shortage of potential candidates.

NBA Rumors: 3 Buyout Candidates For The Golden State Warriors

3. Elfrid Payton

Elfrid Payton never lived up to his potential as a lottery pick. But he’s played meaningful minutes in this league, and he could be a steady contributor for any contending team’s second unit.

Payton is a solid backcourt defender and an outstanding rebounder for his position. The Warriors have enough shooting around him, and they were interested in Patrick Beverley, so he definitely fits the mold.

2. Stanley Johnson

On that same note, Steve Kerr’s coaching staff could target someone who could help them get more stops in the wings. Considering that, we shouldn’t rule Stanley Johnson out as a potential candidate.

Like Payton, Johnson never tapped into his potential, but he’s far from a scrub. While not much of an offensive factor, he has the length, lateral quickness, and physical tools to be a solid defensive contributor.

1. John Wall

Stephen Curry has struggled to stay healthy throughout the season, and that’s where John Wall could come in handy. He’s no longer the All-Star point guard he once was, but he’s still got some left in the tank.

Even when Curry returns, Wall could be a solid catalyst for their second unit, leading the way alongside Jordan Poole in Kerr’s full-motion offense. It’s the ultimate low-risk/high-reward pickup for them.

They’ve gotten back on track after an uncharacteristic slow start to the season, but they’re still not on the same tier as other contenders, namely the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, or Philadelphia 76ers.

With that in mind, Riley and Erik Spoelstra are likely to dig deep into the buyout marketwith no shortage of options to choose from. Here, we name the three players they’re likely to pursue right now.

NBA Rumors: Buyout Targets For The Miami Heat

3. Russell Westbrook

The Heat want to improve at the point guard position. They’re not satisfied with Kyle Lowry, and they were reportedly interested in Russell Westbrook, who would be playing for his sixth team in five years.

Westbrook revived his career by coming off the bench, and he could do the same in Miami or even take the floor with Lowry from time to time. Of course, shooting would be an issue with him next to Jimmy Butler.

2. Kevin Love

Likewise, the Heat are reportedly interested in signing NBA champion Kevin Love, which shouldn’t come as a surprise at all. Love is a bonafide veteran and a proven winner in this league.

He can stretch the floor with his shooting skills, he’s a solid passer, and he can make a big impact on both ends of the glass as a rebounder. He’s no longer an All-Star, but he’s far from done.

1. John Wall

If the Heat fail to land Russell Westbrook, then they could turn their attention to another former All-Star point guard in John Wall, whose playing time with the Los Angeles Clippers kept decreasing.

Wall is one of the best playmakers of his generation, and he wouldn’t be asked to do a lot of scoring for this team. He’s a similar PG to Westbrook in terms of being a non-shooter, but he’s a better defender.

As usually happens for small market teams, that didn’t always translate into playoff success. They had some solid postseason runs but failed to reach the NBA Finals in his best years with the team.

So, after signing one of the largest contracts in NBA history and suffering several injuries, the Wizards understandably tried to get rid of him. The only problem? They did it all behind his back.

NBA News: John Wall Says Washington Wizards Betrayed Him

“Russ [Westbrook] DM’s me out of nowhere,” Wall said in an interview.“I know Russ. Me and Russ cool, say what’s up to each other if I see you, but a lot of people you just don’t have they number. Like, I got respect for you, but I just don’t got that relationship. So, he DM’s me like, ‘yo, what’s your number?’ I’m like, ‘f**k you mean, what’s my number?’ He texts me like, ‘yo, DC wants to get me, but they said you don’t want to leave’. I’m like, ‘f**k no, ni**a, been here for ten years. This my franchise. Why would I want to leave?”

“I come out here and work out for a month. Brad all mad about this s**t. I get it. We had a real conversation, like man-to-man talked about it and s**t. My brother. Nothing against him,” Wall added.“Still love him to death. He was there for me when my mom passed when a lot of m***********s weren’t. We talking and s**t and I’m like, ‘well, what we gonna do? We gonna run it back one more year, or you don’t know?’ Once he said, ‘I got to think about it’, I knew I was traded. You got to think about it, some s**t going different.”

Well, that’s just another example of one of the most ruthless businessesin the sports industry. This is just how the NBA goes, albeit one would expect more class from a team you gave the best decade of your career.