ESPN ranks former Kentucky star John Wall as the fourth-best player to come out of the Carolinas (North and South) over the last 25 years.
The site notes that Wall “was a high school highlight reel, averaging 22.1 points, 5.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds and two steals a game and leading the Holy Rams to the state title game in 2009.”
The players ahead of Wall are Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Stephen Curry. Chris Paul is fifth on the list.
Here’s an excerpt:
4. John Wall, Garner Magnet High School; Word of God Christian Academy (North Carolina)
Class of 2009
John Wall’s multiple viral high school mixtapes were no coincidence after winning a state title and earning his spot as the top-ranked point guard in his class. Dustin Snipes/Icon SMI/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images
His case: Wall was a high school highlight reel, averaging 22.1 points, 5.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds and two steals a game and leading the Holy Rams to the state title game in 2009. He was named to the Elite 24 and the Jordan Brand Classic and finished ranked No. 5 overall and No. 1 among point guards in the ESPN 100.
Wall went on to have a dominant freshman season at Kentucky, averaging 16.6 points, 6.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals a game en route to claiming SEC Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and All-American status. Wall was picked No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2010 NBA draft and has made five NBA All-Star games, won an NBA dunk contest, made an All-NBA team and an All-Defensive team in 13 seasons.
