Aug 20, 2025 - News
Raleigh legend John Wall retires from the NBA
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John Wall, a Raleigh native and one of the most electrifying basketball players of the 2010s, announced his retirement from the NBA on Tuesday.
Why it matters: Wall played at Garner High School and Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, where he was one of the nation's top recruiting targets and attracted large crowds to his games.
- He ultimately went on to play at the University of Kentucky, became the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA draft, and had a 15-year career in the NBA.
Zoom in: Wall's influence on Raleigh continued after he left for Kentucky.
- His name now adorns Raleigh's annual Holiday Invitational, a tournament that attracts the best high school programs in the state and benefits the John Wall Family Foundation, which provides resources and programming for disadvantaged families and at-risk youth.
Between the lines: Wall was such a phenom that his fame propelled the Raleigh rap group Troop 41's song "Do the John Wall" into a national hit and trend.
