John Wall: 'Getting traded to Houston was devastating. It hurt'

John Wall: “Going number one in the draft was a dream come true. My mom’s birthday week, she picked my suit. My family’s first time in New York. Hearing my name called, seeing my mom cry, it was all for her.” -via YouTube / July 18, 2024

John Wall: “Sad thing, injuries happen; it’s part of the game. But I felt like I was the second-best player in the East that year after LeBron. We were hooping, we were balling. You solidify yourself. When you get to that second max, even third max, you feel like you made it. I’m one of those guys people talk about on the regular. When I signed that second one, my whole family came. My first max, I just signed it. When I signed that second one, my whole family, all the way to my nieces and nephews, was there taking pictures. It was a blessing.” -via YouTube / July 18, 2024

John Wall: “In Houston, they wanted to develop young guys. It was hard knowing I could win the spot, but they didn’t want me to play. And I’m like, damn, why? We had an okay year last year, it wasn’t bad. But that’s where my maturity comes in now. I can accept that, know whatever role I’m in, I can accept that. But at that time, you can’t tell me going into a training camp, I’mma line y’all two up and y’all compete. I feel like I’m going to out beat everybody unless you got an All-NBA player in front of me, that guy, I feel like I can win that spot. So that was difficult to deal with, especially coming off injury and then having a good year your first year back, and they don’t really want you to play. -via YouTube / July 18, 2024