Published>Fri, Jun 25 10 08:37 AM
Point guard John Wall will be part of another reclamation project when he takes the court for the Washington Wizards this season.
The first overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday will begin his professional career after one season at Kentucky, where he his fellow highly touted freshmen led a return of the Wildcats to their place among college basketball's elite.
Wall, 19, will join a Wizards franchise that has struggled to meet expectations in recent years.
The team's most recent season was overshadowed by a controversy involving triple All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, who pleaded guilty in January to felony weapons possession for bringing four guns into the team's locker room.
"I know this is a different level, but I just have to go in and show those guys I am willing to work, listen as much as I can, and try to be a leader," Wall, wearing a blue Wizards cap and gray pin-striped suit, told reporters after his selection.
"That's the key -- to be a leader and try to help them win games."
Known for his deft ability in the open court, Wall enters the league flush with accolades: He was a consensus first-team All-American and National Freshman of the Year, while setting a Kentucky single-season record with 241 assists.
The Wildcats finished 35-3 last year and advanced to the final eight in the NCAA tournament where they fell to West Virginia.
"The selection of John Wall is exciting for any number of reasons, but his combination of talent coupled with a supreme passion to win is what excites me most," said Wizards owner Ted Leonsis.
"Our best players need to be the hardest workers and the most coachable, and John has those characteristics."
The 6-foot-4 Wall hopes to repeat the success of fellow guards Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans, who also played one year in college under coach John Calipari before bolting to the NBA.
"I think I can be very productive," said Wall. "Just got to have that confidence in working on your game."
Wall said he had always led by example by spending countless hours in the gym, but credited Calipari for helping him mature as a leader.
"I matured a lot and became a better leader vocally," he said. "I am a leader that will not mind speaking up to the older guys."
Source: Web Search
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