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Washington Wizards: John Wall will retire, return to college full-time

By Jen Julie Smith

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIl 21: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards speaks at the post game press conference after Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2015 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2015 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIl 21: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards speaks at the post game press conference after Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2015 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2015 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Wizards’ John Wall will retire from basketball and return to Kentucky full-time to complete his degree.

This has been an up-and-down season for the Washington Wizards, as they had to navigate some of the regular season without their five-time All-Star guard John Wall.

Earlier in the season, Wall hinted at one day returning to college to complete his college degree. It was later confirmed by the Washington Post, that he would spend this summer at Kentucky taking business classes.

However, after hearing from the media and inside the locker room that the Wizards are better without Wall, and due to his unselfish nature, he has decided to retire from basketball and return to school full-time next season.

He has always put the Wizards first, and would do anything to make the team become a championship contender. If that means his absence would accomplish that goal, than for the good of the Wizards, he will step away from the game of basketball.

At first Wall didn’t pay any attention to reports of how the team was winning without him. He believed that they were just doing their job and stepping up when a man goes down. Similar to what happened in Boston.

When Colin Cowherd and others continued to beat the drum that the Wall-less Wizards are a much better team, everyone knew that those weren’t credible sources.

Since the only thing real about Cowherd was his hair color.

But when one of the best centers to ever play the game of basketball, who is right up there and is known by one name such as Kareem and Wilt, then Wall began to take notice.

Therefore, when Marcin Gortat tweeted, that it was a “good team win”, it was at that point Wall knew he had to leave the game for the good of the game.

Why should he prevent Gortat from having his jersey hung one day high in the rafters?

Soon after Bradley Beal commented, “everybody eats”, Wall took that to heart and stopped eating, and has lost 10-15 points. Why should he take food out of other players’ mouths?

Then the reports came that the team chemistry was better without Wall. I decided to get the full story. Here’s the Q&A:

Jen: What was it like watching the Wizards stay afloat without you?

Wall: That’s what they’re supposed to do. We’re a team, so our fortunes shouldn’t rise and fall, if I have to take some time off to have surgery. Look at what Kyrie is doing with a rookie and without Hayward. It’s supposed to be next man up.

Jen: True, but did you ever think to return early, once you saw Gortat move his stuff into your locker? And make the comment, “It’s my team now”.

Wall: No, what you in the media don’t realize is that we’re brothers inside those lines.

Jen: Yes, but when he approached Adidas about getting his own signature shoe, “The Gortat”, even then you weren’t worried about losing your spot?

Wall: Jen, Julie, @jensrules or whatever you call yourself. When’s the last time you picked up a basketball? When’s the last time you left everything on the floor and had nothing left in your tank.

Jen: See, that’s why some think the Wizards are better without you. I do have a basketball and it’s signed by Beal. I picked it up on Friday, when I was showing someone how Wall didn’t have time to sign it.

Wall: Oh, so you want to talk slick now, or do you want to finish this interview?

Jen: Of course, let’s finish this interview. Unless you’re tired?

Wall: Thank you. So when someone told me about Cowherd’s comments, I didn’t know who that was. Then other reports came out in the media and blogs, then there’s this whole twitter thing.

I still didn’t pay attention to any of that noise. But when Gortat made those comments about a “great team win”, that’s when I had to step back and take a good look at myself.

Am I holding this team back and Gortat particularly? You know when they hung Phil Chenier’s jersey up in the rafters and the Wizards honored the 1978 Bullets NBA champions last weekend?

Jen: Yes, I covered both the game and the event.

Wall: Well, the camera closed in on me and I had a tear in my eye. It was at that moment I realized that I’m preventing Gortat from having that moment years from now.

To have his jersey hung high in the rafters. It was at that moment that I decided to take my talents back to Kentucky and go to school full-time.

Jen: That’s a touching story. What time does your Rolex say?

Wall: It also gives you the date. April Fool’s Day.

Editor’s note: I appreciate everyone who takes the time to stop here to get their Wizards’ news– Jen Julie Smith

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