John Wall remaining loyal to Kentucky after John Calipari departure: 'That's always family'

John Wall is the man that started the one and done era at Kentucky. A part of John Calipari’s initial recruiting class, Wall, alongside a slew of future NBA talent, would go on to set the standard of what the Calipari era in Lexington would look like over the next decade.

15 years later, and Kentucky hasn’t tasted tournament success in five seasons. After a messy March in 2024, Calipari is now the head coach at Arkansas. While there is no faulting Wall for continuing to support his former head coach — he ensured Big Blue Nation that his loyalties lie with in Lexington.

“It’s sad to see him leave,” Wall told his co-host, C.J. Toledano, via KSR. “I’m still part of Kentucky. I’m still going to be Big Blue Nation. They gave me the opportunity to play on the highest level you can in college basketball in D-1, one of the biggest schools ever, and then get an opportunity to go to the NBA. That’s always family. I have the jersey tatted on me. I’m in the Hall of Fame. It’s always love and support for Kentucky, and that’s never going to change.

“But I’m always going to support Cal too, no matter what school he’s at. I think, like he said, it was time. It’s sad to see a breakup like that happen, but I think it was time.”

Looking back, Wall is one of the most fondly remembered players of the Calipari era. Taking the Wildcats to the Elite Eight after winning the SEC Tournament in dramatic fashion — Wall was eventually selected No. 1 overall in the 2010 NBA Draft.

After Wall left for the pros, Kentucky would go on to make four Final Fours over the next five seasons. UK was on top of the basketball world — but similar success would never been seen during the Calipari era. Wall admitted that the Big Blue Nation isn’t satisfied with regular season titles. They want to hang banners — and that hasn’t happened recently.

Calipari’s former point guard ultimately believes his old coach needed a fresh start and is doing what’s best for him and his family. However, Wall is remaining true — unlike some former Wildcat stars — to his roots in Lexington.

“I just hope they get a great coach,” Wall continued. “That’s the university I went to. I want them to continue to be good and I want to continue to support them. I want to continue to be able to go to games. Whoever the new coach is, I want to be able to build a relationship with him, so I have the opportunity to come back and still use the facility when I work out, come around and be around the team, and go to practices and go to games in support.”