Everyone has an all-time favorite Wildcat, and my personal pick is John Wall. The game-changing guard may not have won a national title at Kentucky, but what he did do was stun a generation of Kentucky fans - including myself - that thought they'd be in his position one day.
Then, in his move to the professional level, Wall continued to put on a show. 360 layups and "get out of the man's way" dunks set the stage for a super memorable era for the Washington Wizards. And now, all this time later, Wall represented the Wizards at this year's NBA Draft Lottery.
The results? Well, you can see the moment that Washington won first the first overall pick on the team's official X here:
ABSOLUTE. CINEMA. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/lcozgtQQy1
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 10, 2026
Making Modern History
The immediate reaction from Wizards' fans was outright jubilation online, with the team's own post above going viral even beyond the bounds of D.C. This is the first time that the Wizards have secured the first pick in 16 years, dating all the way back to 2010.
Who did they draft? You guessed it: John Wall. That's poetic justice to the maximum.
We're not going to dive into who the Wizards could possibly pick with their luck-wrought selection; so long as it isn't Malachi Moreno, the BBN has little to do with it. But Cats fans will always be involved with alumni, especially a former player as continuously supportive and beloved as Wall.
It was exciting enough to see our guy back on the national NBA stage, and just weeks after landing a front office role on the collegiate level with the Howard Bison, too. Things are better than ever for a player who, given the right draw, could've led Kentucky to a championship in his lone season in Lexington.
We'll happily take the memories regardless, though. Wall's debut game-winner against Miami (OH), as well as his 20-point jab in a win over Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals, are ground in Rupp Arena history forever.
Go Cats and, for the sake of Wall and Wall alone, go Wizards.
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