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John Wall’s new role brings him back to the city where he began his NBA career. 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 last HBCU to reach an NCAA Division I men’s tournament, a rare feat among mid-majors.
Wall was the first 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 serving in a management role in the NBA.
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Former Washington Wizards guard John Wall watches before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2026. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)
Wall has wasted no time getting involved, already participating in team meetings, evaluating recruits and helping identify potential transfer targets, ESPN reported. Wall’s role also includes shaping the program’s strategic vision, advising players and playing a central role in name, image and likeness agreements, responsibilities he is believed to already be handling.
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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 last four years, earning the program’s first tournament victory last March with a First Four victory over the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
Los Angeles Clippers guard John Wall passes by Frank Ntilikina of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on January 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 the Verizon Center in Washington, DC on January 3, 2016. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Wall’s move mirrors Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s jump to the assistant general position 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 in a college program.
Weeks after Curry was named assistant general manager, Trae Young was also named to the same position at his alma mater, Oklahoma.
