SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt discusses the end of the John Wall era in Washington and why Houston may be the perfect place for him to resurrect his career. USA TODAY
The became well known for his extensive community work in and around Washington, DC.
As a result, many members of the Washington organization — as well as fans and local media covering the team — were sad to see him go. After Wednesday's trade announcement, here's a sampling of their reaction:
I am very grateful to @JohnWall and his family for all they have done for our franchise and our community. John was the first player picked in the NBA draft and the first player we were blessed to pick under our new ownership of the @WashWizards a decade ago. https://t.co/CJCdDfQXqn
— Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) December 3, 2020
I personally wish the best for him in his new city and franchise. Good health and good fortune to John Wall and all of Washington DC thanks you for your unabashed love of the game — and our community.
— Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) December 3, 2020
I feel for Wizards fans.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) December 3, 2020
John Wall has been in DC for 10 years and I’m not sure people outside of town realize how much the fan base loves him. I know he’s been hurt. I know he’s on a max deal. But I’m also certain people in DC are feeling lots of stuff right now
John Wall was beloved in DC, and was especially meaningful to Black folks and those who lived in underserved parts of the city. Here’s what he had to say last week at this community event in Southeast: pic.twitter.com/yJvg1EwGn7
— Ava Wallace (@avarwallace) December 3, 2020
One thing I’ll always respect @JohnWall for is that he did a ton of really good things for the community here in DC over the years that never made national headlines. Buddy helped keep roofs over a ton of people’s heads in DC this year during the pandemic.
— Justin Tinsley (@JustinTinsley) December 3, 2020
Why was John Wall loved by so many in D.C.?
— Scott Abraham (@ScottABC7) December 3, 2020
Because he cared, he cared about this community.
I would argue Wall gave back to the D.C. community more than any other D.C. professional athlete in the last decade.
He made a difference, a role model to many boys and girls in DMV. pic.twitter.com/eynl0fRdo0
The love DC had for John Wall far exceeded any that he received on a national NBA level Not many stars embrace a place, connect with it & represent it the way he did. He didn't win a championship in his 10 years but he won over hearts. This breakup will be hard for many to accept
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) December 3, 2020
Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard on the trade: pic.twitter.com/ZuK39FafiU
— Ava Wallace (@avarwallace) December 3, 2020
I found John to be a person who cared deeply. Even though you couldn’t see that on his exterior. The 2017 Christmas gift comes to mind. He gave all his teammates personalized Rolex watches & it’s not that he did so to flex on em. He honestly thought it was what a leader should do
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 3, 2020
Lots of folk in D.C. share this belief. Lots: https://t.co/o1D2b4ExzB
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) December 3, 2020
John is an All-Star basketball player, but he’s always been much more than that. His work off the court will be remembered for years to come.
— Dan Nolan (@DanPNolan) December 3, 2020
Thankful to have been with the organization during so many of his amazing moments. Wishing the Wall-Star nothing but the best in Houston.
Thank you @JohnWall for a decade of electric playmaking on the court, and for your powerful contributions off of it too. We appreciate everything you did to give back to our local community and know that all of your hard work will get you back to winning on the court soon. ❤️ https://t.co/N69dwXw5FF
— Zach Leonsis (@ZacharyLeonsis) December 3, 2020
I now have a crying kid on my hands. John Wall should have been allowed to stay, and...this really sucks.
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) December 3, 2020
Thank you for everything, @JohnWall ❤️ pic.twitter.com/I0D0nrZAZF
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 3, 2020
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Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:
![The NBA offseason was even more hectic than usual with this year's condensed schedule. Here are all the most notable players on new teams for the 2020-21 season.]()
1 of 45![Chris Paul — Old team: Thunder. New team: Suns.]()
2 of 45![Gordon Hayward — Old team: Celtics. New team: Hornets.]()
3 of 45![Russell Westbrook — Old team: Rockets. New team: Wizards.]()
4 of 45![Jrue Holiday — Old team: Pelicans. New team: Bucks.]()
5 of 45![Marc Gasol — Old team: Raptors. New team: Lakers.]()
6 of 45![John Wall — Old team: Wizards. New team: Rockets.]()
7 of 45![Montrezl Harrell — Old team: Clippers. New team: Lakers.]()
8 of 45![Danilo Gallinari — Old team: Thunder. New team: Hawks.]()
9 of 45![Jae Crowder — Old team: Heat. New team: Suns.]()
10 of 45![Serge Ibaka — Old team: Raptors. New team: Clippers.]()
11 of 45![Jerami Grant — Old team: Nuggets. New team: Pistons.]()
12 of 45![Danny Green — Old team: Lakers. New team: Sixers.]()
13 of 45![Dennis Schroder — Old team: Thunder. New team: Lakers.]()
14 of 45![Robert Covington — Old team: Rockets. New team: Blazers.]()
15 of 45![Al Horford — Old team: Sixers. New team: Thunder.]()
16 of 45![Josh Richardson — Old team: Sixers. New team: Mavericks.]()
17 of 45![Rajon Rondo — Old team: Lakers. New team: Hawks.]()
18 of 45![Tristan Thompson — Old team: Cavaliers. New team: Celtics.]()
19 of 45![Ricky Rubio — Old team: Suns. New team: Timberwolves.]()
20 of 45![Steven Adams — Old team: Thunder. New team: Pelicans.]()
21 of 45![Kelly Oubre Jr. — Old team: Suns. New team: Warriors.]()
22 of 45![Seth Curry — Old team: Mavericks. New team: Sixers.]()
23 of 45![Wesley Matthews — Old team: Bucks. New team: Lakers.]()
24 of 45![D.J. Augustin — Old team: Magic. New team: Bucks.]()
25 of 45![Jeff Green — Old team: Rockets. New team: Nets.]()
26 of 45![Dwight Howard — Old team: Lakers. New team: Sixers.]()
27 of 45![JaVale McGee — Old team: Lakers. New team: Cavaliers.]()
28 of 45![Christian Wood — Old team: Pistons. New team: Rockets.]()
29 of 45![Nerlens Noel — Old team: Thunder. New team: Knicks.]()
30 of 45![JaMychal Green — Old team: Clippers. New team: Nuggets.]()
31 of 45![Moe Harkless — Old team: Knicks. New team: Heat.]()
32 of 45![Bobby Portis — Old team: Knicks. New team: Bucks.]()
33 of 45![Avery Bradley — Old team: Lakers. New team: Heat.]()
34 of 45![Aron Baynes — Old team: Suns. New team: Raptors.]()
35 of 45![Sterling Brown — Old team: Bucks. New team: Rockets.]()
36 of 45![Kris Dunn — Old team: Bulls. New team: Hawks.]()
37 of 45![Torrey Craig — Old team: Nuggets. New team: Bucks.]()
38 of 45![Derrick Favors — Old team: Pelicans. New team: Jazz.]()
39 of 45![Kent Bazemore — Old team: Kings. New team: Warriors.]()
40 of 45![Mason Plumlee — Old team: Nuggets. New team: Pistons.]()
41 of 45![Bryn Forbes — Old team: Spurs. New team: Bucks.]()
42 of 45![Brad Wanamaker — Old team: Celtics. New team: Warriors.]()
43 of 45![Derrick Jones Jr. — Old team: Heat. New team: Blazers]()
44 of 45![Harry Giles III — Old team: Kings. New team: Blazers.]()
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