Kentucky coach Mark Pope and ex-Wildcats star John Wall

Kentucky legend John Wall met the new Wildcats coach Mark Pope during a Nike EYBL Session III held in Indianapolis, where the latter was on a recruitment mission at the AAU event. The former NBA star walked up to the Kentucky coach and the pair shared a heartfelt hug.

Former Wildcats coach John Calipari, who recruited Wall and is now the Arkansas Razorbacks coach, was also at the event. The former Wizards star went to greet his former coach afterward.

 

John Wall stays loyal to Kentucky and Mark Pope

John Calipari was well known for his recruitment acumen during his tenure as the Kentucky Wildcats coach and he managed to produce several stars ready for the NBA, including 35 first-round picks with players like Devin Booker and John Wall.

Wall credited Calipari’s influence in swaying his decision to choose Kentucky in 2009 over Duke and N.C State, which was his dream school.

When Calipari abruptly left the Wildcats job for the Arkansas Razorbacks job, some NBA stars seemed to proclaim their loyalty to him. However, John Wall stayed loyal to the program rather than the coach.

While speaking about Calipari departing Kentucky on his “Point Game” podcast, the former NBA star declared his loyalty to Kentucky and the Big Blue Nation.

“It’s sad to see him (Calipari) leave,” Wall said. “I’m still part of Kentucky. I’m still going to be Big Blue Nation. They gave me the opportunity to play on the highest level you can in college basketball in D1, one of the biggest schools ever, and then get an opportunity to go to the NBA. That’s always family. I have the jersey [tattooed] on me. I’m in the Hall of Fame. It’s always love and support for Kentucky, and that’s never going to change.”

John Wall averaged 16.6 points and 6.5 assists and led the team to a 35-3 record and an SEC (Southeastern Conference) regular season title and an Elite Eight appearance during his Kentucky days.

John Wall was the SEC Player of the Year in 2010 and was drafted No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2010 NBA Draft and he went on to become a five-time NBA All-Star.

For his efforts in Lexington, he was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017, justifying his loyalty to the program that provided him a professional platform rather than the coach who recruited and nurtured him.

Was this article helpful?