Back when I attended the Steve Nash Skills Academy, I did not have an opportunity to interview all the players I would have like, so I got the contact information of a handful of them to talk at a later point. One of those players, John Wall, is ranked by http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/ as the best player in the class of 2009. I spoke to Wall via phone within the last hour, and he cleared the air on a lot of the rumors that have been surrounding him in the past few weeks.

Dwon Clifton was John Wall's AAU coach at D-One Sports (NC), but now he is at Baylor University as the basketball program's Director of Player Development (http://www.zagsblog.net/2008/07/31/john-wall-to-Baylor/). There was thought that the Bears hired Clifton specifically to got Wall, but John says that he thinks Scott Drew and Co. hired him because "they . . . thought he was a good man." Regardless of the reason why Baylor hired Clifton, does that give the program a major lead to land the talented point guard from Word of God (NC)? "No, no, they're not the top choice," said Wall of Baylor, also adding, "I'm still wide-open." Right now he has no specific favorite, nor a top three or top five, as he wants to talk with his mother before deciding on that. Currently, Wall's school list is Kansas, Kentucky, Baylor, Memphis, Oregon, Oklahoma St., and North Carolina St., all of which have offered him a scholarship. The rising senior is also considering Florida, Texas, and Kansas St., though maybe not as heavily, though he did say "it's a chance" that a school outside of those first seven will land him. John's friend, Wally Judge '09, wants him to check out Kansas St., the school that Judge and fellow DC Assault U-17 member Rodney McGruder have already committed to. Texas has an interesting angle to throw at Wall: "This week I talked to Jordan [Hamilton] and Avery [Bradley]. . . . They both [are] considering Texas. . . . They want me [to be a part of a package deal possibly]." That's what Wall told me when I asked him if he had discussed a package deal with anyone. He lists Abdul Gaddy, Avery Bradley, DeMarcus Cousins (a UAB commit), Alex Oriakhi (a UConn commit), John Henson (a North Carolina commit), and Kenny Boynton as some of his closest friends from the class of 2009. Wall added that he "and John Henson [had discussed a package deal], . . . but he committed to North Carolina." Speaking of North Carolina, Wall told me that although he "didn't really have" a dream school, he "just liked watching Duke and North Carolina."

What is John Wall looking for in a college? "What school's going to help me the best, . . . help me develop, . . . [and where I can compete for a] national championship." Will location or playing time be factors? "Not location, . . . [but as for playing time, I want] somewhere where I'm going to get . . . a lot of playing time and start." It makes sense that PT is important to that ultra-athletic point guard, as he said "I plan on staying [in college] one year, . . . no more than two." Although that may make it seem like Wall does not have any interest in going to college in the first place, he actually does, as he told me that even without the NBA age limit he "wouldn't be going pro [because he has] . . . a lot of stuff [he] needs to work on."

Being regarded as one of the best players in America comes with a lot of pressure and hype, but also a lot of fun and lots of honors. I asked Wall if he ever looks at rankings: "No, not really, my mom or coaches look and they'll call me." So maybe rankings are John's thing, bu playing in all-star events has got to be fun, right? Well, here's what Wall said on what it was like to be selected to play in the prestigious summer all-star game at Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, the Boost Mobile Elite 24 Classic: "It felt good because last year I got invited, [buy could not go] . . . because [of] rules in North Carolina . . . [that you] can't play om certain months." Wall said that is twas arranged for this year that he will be able to go to this year's event, which will be on August 22nd. Speaking of the Elite 24 Classic, the Tar Heel State stud said that "after the Boost Mobile" event is when he will decide what schools he wants to take official visits to. "After I take a couple of my official visits, I can make a decision then or later one," said Wall on when he plans to commit.

Wall, who says that "getting to the basket [and] . . . getting [his] teammates involved" is the strongest point of his game, knows his weaknesses too. "I think my jump-shot and sometimes my defense," said Wall on what his main weaknesses are. I asked Wall if he think he is the best player in America in the class of 2009, and he said "yeah, I feel that [I am]," saying this as his reasoning, "it's hard for other people to guard m. I can get points [in many ways]. . . . I can help my teammates. Wall's favorite players are Derrick Rose and Chris Paul, and he compares his game most to Rose, a former Memphis point guard who was taken first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. That led me to ask Wall if the Wildcats have some added leverage to land him: "No, not really."

There's not much else than can be written about Wall that has not already been written. He is a phenomenal basketball player with a lot of upside and great talent. John would be a welcome addition at any school in the country and many are hot on his tail. So, you may assume he's going to Baylor, but don't be so sure of yourself, because Rivals' number one ranked layer is "still wide open."