John Wall explains how North Carolina, Tyler Hansborough messed up his recruitment

John Wall is a legend in Lexington, being a member of John Calipari’s first Kentucky team during the 2009-2010 season. He helped the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight and was named a Consensus All-American.

But there is another world where he never reaches Lexington and plays for another blue blood instead.

North Carolina was a “dream” school for Wall, wanting to play for the Tar Heels growing up. He said if there was one program that could have won him over, it was UNC. Being from Raleigh, NC, the angle to play close to home was appealing.

“I wanted to go to Carolina,” Wall said during an appearance on the Run Your Race podcast with Theo Pinson. “That was my dream school. A lot of people don’t know that. They ****** it up. They were the only one that could have gotten me to not go play for Coach Cal. Because my Mom got sick, had an aneurysm in her head… So I am like, ‘I can’t leave home. I got to stay close, that’s my best friend.'”

Interaction during recruiting visit ruined North Carolina’s chances

Then, a recruiting visit to Chapel Hill happened. Wall claims things changed on a dime the moment he interacted with then-National Player of the Year, Tyler Hansborough.

“I go on the visit,” Wall said. “Ty Lawson and them are there. Tyler Hansborough got his own section — him and his homeboys. I’m the recruit, I walk up and say ‘what up.’ He said ‘I don’t talk to recruits.’ I was like ‘**** you, I ain’t coming here.’ That ****** it up right there.”

North Carolina could have desperately used somebody such as Wall in ’09-10. They were not able to make the NCAA Tournament and finished just three games over .500. It’s the only year Williams was not able to make the NCAA Tournament while with the program.

Hansborough was not part of the squad either, moving on to the NBA after winning a national championship.

Funny enough, Kentucky played against North Carolina in 2009, getting a two-point victory at Rupp Arena. Wall dropped 16 points while adding five rebounds and seven assists. Revenge must have been on his mind.

John Wall explains why NC State was not the pick

North Carolina was not the only hometown team going after Wall. NC State was in contention as well, especially after the Hansborough incident. That’s exactly why the Wolfpack lost out though, being a little too close to home.

“NC State, I was going to go to NC State because North Carolina ****** up,” Wall said. “So I was going to go to NC State. But I was like ‘naw, I can’t go to school from here to the ************* fridge. I’m never going to be on campus. I’m going to be at home, with my guys.”

Wall’s decision to commit to Kentucky wound up working out, short and long-term. He was selected No. 1 overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards and has enjoyed a long career ever since.

It’s just fun to play the ‘what if’ game, wondering how Wall would have performed in Carolina Blue instead of in front of Big Blue Nation.