By Chalien Dantes 

Five-time NBA All-Star John Wall is officially retiring from professional basketball, announcing his decision in a heartfelt video shared on social media on Tuesday.

“I gave the game everything I had,” Wall said, reflecting on his 11 NBA seasons. In the emotional post, he thanked his teammates, coaches, trainers, and fans—and gave special recognition to his family, especially his late mother. “Thank you for all your sacrifices,” he said. “I hope I made you proud.”

While he’s stepping away from playing, Wall made it clear he’s not leaving basketball behind entirely. “The game will always be part of my life,” he said.

Wall, now 34, was selected first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards after a standout season at Kentucky. He quickly became the face of the franchise, spending nine seasons in D.C. and earning five All-Star selections during his time there.

After Washington, he had a brief stint with the Houston Rockets in 2020, followed by a final run with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2022-23 season.

Over the course of his career, Wall averaged 18.7 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Injuries plagued the second half of his career. He never played more than half the games in any of the past six seasons, and he didn’t play the last two years.