In case you aren't hanging on John Wall's every word, then you may not have heard the new twist that was put on the situation yesterday. Since every media source (including us) has already asked John every question in the book, ESPN opened up the internet to any fan out there that wanted to ask the Jordan Brand Classic players (including John) a question via an online chat. Most of the questions we all knew the answers to, however Mike from Denver asked Wall something that got a response we hadn't heard before:"John, what would you say is the most important factor for you in making your college decision?"
Previously this question has been answered with a "Wherever I feel I can fit in or Wherever I'm the most comfortable." However, Wall answered Mike by saying:
John Wall: Staying close to home, making sure I get along with the coach, the community of the school. You have to feel that you feel safe and like a family.
Earlier in the process Wall said that his mom wanted him to stay close but it wasn't all that important to be close as long as the situation was right and he fit in. Obviously his tone has changed and he is now listing "staying close to home" as his number one influence in choosing a school. What does this mean? Well if you take John for his word, then it means State, UNC, or Duke is going to be landing the 2009 stud point guard. Would I recommend writing this statement in stone? Well let me say this, with the way this recruitment has gone, the only thing that's for sure is that nothing is for sure. (and this all hinging on whether he even goes to college at all)
Check out the chat for yourself: ESPN chat with John Wall and others
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10 Responses to "JOHN WALL: There's No Place Like Home"John's got family and friends in Raleigh. I think he'd get along just fine with the Wolfpack community!
You guys are reading way to deep into this. Just because he listed it first does not make it his number one reason in picking a school
^
Jesse,
He has never come out and said "Staying close to home is important to me" before. He has said his mom would like him to be close to home, but always has followed that up with "but she wants me to do what is best for me." Out of thousands of interviews this is the first time he's come out and listed that as a major reason to pick a school. If it didn't mean it, he probably wouldn't have typed it.
With all of this great build up in John's recruitment, I really hope he doesn't break our hearts.
The "staying CLOSE to home" could also mean Duke or UNC just as easily.
He also says later in that article that whoever he chooses, he hopes that everyone will still support him in the future.
That will be real tough considering the hatred among NC State, Duke and UNC.
Comeon John!!!! Be the hometown Hero!!! Just think when you drive into raleigh the sign could say," Welcome to Raleigh, Home of NBA MVP John Wall......
Comeon Mrs. Wall Keep pushing home!!
Did anyone read the Chapel Hill News article yesterday about Roy Williams not recruiting Wall because of his (old) AAU coach, Brian Clifton? WPH, any insight would be appreciated. I thought that the article shed some interesting light on the reciprocal hard feelings between Roy and Coach Clifton, as being the reason Roy wasn't looking at Wall.
http://www.chapelhillnews.com/sports/story/48388.html
I wish John would just go ahead and realize that NC State is his home, we would adore him, Sid would propel him into the NBA with all of his league contacts, and his relatives would be right here with him until his time to travel the country and the world with the NBA. At the same time, he would be the Hometown Hero. He would help restore some glory to a school that his family loves.
John, you would look fantastic in Wolfpack Red.
"Welcome to Raleigh, Home of NBA MVP John Wall......"
Well, it can say that no matter where he goes. But it'd be nice to have his jersey hanging from the rafter of the RBC!
I'm certainly not reading too much into this. It's too stressful! But i'm still hoping!
Apparently last summer when Clifton was trying to get UNC on Wall Roy made said something like "I don't talk to summer coaches" (paraphrase. I don't know that Roy had anything against Clifton specifically but it is obvious that Clifton is not shy in his dislike towards Roy. Clifton apparently has never felt a 'warm welcome' over at UNC.
And K has to grit his teeth to recruit John, because he probably takes the same stance on AAU coaches as Roy. K doesn't generally have to woo players and coaches into being interested in Duke. Again, another reason Duke comes on strong, late.
Sid understands the modern athlete, and the circumstances surrounding recruiting these days. I think that this fact is one of the major advantages Sid has over other college coaches. He has the contacts to get kids involved with the NBA, he knows how to prepare a young player for that type of environment, and he plays a similar style that future NBA ballers are going to see on the next level. It seems to me, that NC State is THE perfect fit for John Wall, as well as other players with Pro-Basketball aspirations. IMO
So should we believe something has changed for Wall and now staying closing to home is more important?
So hard to read. Memphis is 12 hrs from Raleigh and of course they were his leader not too long ago. I believe he also still lists Baylor and Kansas, that makes no sense.
guess, we'll find out more tomorrow.
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