Holy shit, “I Probably Would Have Come Back”: John Wall on What Might Have Kept Him at Kentucky
NBA star John Wall recently opened up about his time at the University of Kentucky and revealed that under different circumstances, he may have stayed longer with the Wildcats. In a candid conversation on the *Run Your Race* podcast, Wall shared his thoughts on his one-and-done college career and what might have persuaded him to come back for a second season.
Wall, who played just one year at Kentucky during the 2009–10 season, left an indelible mark on the program. Under head coach John Calipari, he became one of the most electrifying players in college basketball, leading the Wildcats to a 35–3 record and an Elite Eight appearance. He was later selected first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.
Yet despite the success and inevitable jump to the professional level, Wall admitted that he seriously considered returning to college. “I probably would have come back,” he said. “If we had won the national championship, or if I felt like I had more to prove, it would’ve made that decision a lot harder.”
Wall emphasized the bond he had with his Kentucky teammates — including DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, and Patrick Patterson — as a major factor in his love for the college game. “That team was special,” he said. “It was more than basketball. It was family. We were all tight, and we really thought we could have done something legendary.”
The group was loaded with NBA talent, and Wall reflected on the feeling that they were just getting started. Despite being eliminated in the Elite Eight by West Virginia, he believed the team had the pieces to go even further had they stayed together another year. “If we came back for one more run, we would’ve won it all, no doubt,” he said confidently.
Wall also noted the impact of Coach Calipari on his development. “Cal was big for me. He let me be myself and helped me grow as a leader and a man. If there was ever a coach that could’ve convinced me to stay, it was him.”
Still, the lure of the NBA and the opportunity to support his family financially were too strong to ignore. “At the end of the day, I had to do what was right for my future,” Wall admitted. “I don’t regret leaving, but it’s fun to think about the ‘what ifs.’”
Wall’s comments have sparked conversations among Kentucky fans, many of whom still remember that 2009–10 team as one of the most exciting in school history. While they didn’t bring home a championship, they reignited the Kentucky basketball brand and laid the foundation for the program’s modern era of one-and-done stars.
