John Wall named to the University of Kentucky’s 2017 Hall of Fame Class

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall was named to the University of Kentucky Athletic’s Hall of Fame on Monday. He becomes the first player under head coach John Calipari to be honored.

One season and a high-school recruit whisperer was all John Wall needed to steer the University of Kentucky basketball program back in the right direction.

For his efforts, he is set to be inducted in the school’s athletics Hall of Fame, the school announced on Monday.

Wall becomes the first player in the John Calipari era to receive such honor. Wall joins five inductees including Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Randall Cobb and San Diego Padres outfielder Collin Cowgill.

In his lone season, Wall was a part of the first-generation of Calipari’s yearly highly-touted recruiting class. He was the No. 1 overall rated recruit and teamed up with NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins and Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe, whom were also five-star recruits.

Together, the trio led the Wildcats 09-10 team to a No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but the team was eliminated in the Elite 8 to cap off Calipari’s first season. Wall averaged 16.6 points and 6.5 assists per game, and became the first Adolph Rupp Trophy National Player of the Year winner in program history.

He was also named 2010 USBWA National Freshman of the Year, consensus First-Team All-American and All-Sec, SEC Freshman and Player of the Year and SEC Tournament MVP.

Wall has only been furthering Kentucky’s credentials with his play in the NBA. Since being drafted No. 1, Wall was named to the 2017 All-NBA third team, made four All-Star appearances and averaged a double-double in each of his last three seasons.

There was no other more-pleased with than Calipari as he reacted to the news on his Twitter account.

Congrats to Wall indeed. He’s been a great ambassador to the University of Kentucky, and enjoys being someone current and future Wildcats can call a mentor.