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John Wall’s new role brings him back to the city where his NBA career began. On Thursday, officials at Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., confirmed to ESPN that Wall was named the school’s president of basketball operations.
Wall joins a standout program that recently became the latest HBCU to reach an NCAA Division I men’s tournament game — a rare feat among mid-majors.
Wall was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and spent his first nine seasons with the Washington Wizards. He was named Howard’s honorary captain on Jan. 31 and has expressed interest in pursuing a front-office role in the NBA.
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Former Washington Wizards guard John Wall looks on before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 2026. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)
Wall hasn’t wasted time getting involved, already taking part in team meetings, evaluating recruits and helping identify potential transfer targets, ESPN reported. Wall’s role also includes shaping the program’s strategic vision, mentoring players and playing a central role in name, image and likeness deals — responsibilities he is already believed to be handling.
Howard general manager Daniel Marks and coach Kenny Blakeney are expected to work closely with Wall in his new role.
Howard has advanced to the NCAA tournament three times in the past four years, earning the program’s first tournament victory this past March with a First Four win over University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
Los Angeles Clippers guard John Wall drives past Frank Ntilikina of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 10, 2023. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Wall last appeared in an NBA game during the 2022-23 season. He officially retired in August 2025 after playing 34 games with the Los Angeles Clippers. Wall also spent one season with the Houston Rockets and was named to five consecutive All-Star teams.
John Wall of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Miami Heat during the first half at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3, 2016. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Wall’s move mirrors Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s jump to an assistant general manager role at his alma mater, Davidson College. Curry is the first active athlete in one of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues to take on an administrative role with a college program.
Weeks after Curry was named assistant general manager, Trae Young was also named to the same role at his alma mater, Oklahoma.
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