Former NBA player John Wall appears to be adjusting well to life after basketball, exploring business opportunities and expanding his investment portfolio. He continues to seek out ventures that align with his interests and offer opportunities for growth and long-term success.
A five-time All-Star, Wall, last played in the NBA in 2023, but made his retirement official last year to join Amazon Prime Video's broadcasting team. He played 11 years in the NBA, with stops with the Washington Wizards , Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, finishing with career averages of 18.7 points, 8.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
Apart from his broadcasting work, Wall continues to be involved in basketball through various ventures, including ownership stake in South East Melbourne Phoenix in Australia's National Basketball League. Earlier this year, he was also named president of basketball operations at Howard University in Washington D.C.
In a recent appearance on Forbes' "The Enterprise Zone," Wall reflected on his NBA career and shared his life in retirement, including his business philosophy and future aspirations.
When host Jabari Young asked where he would invest a $10,000 loan at the moment, Wall pointed to prep schools, citing growing opportunities surrounding Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals.
"Oh, I'm going to invest in one of these prep schools. These prep schools are taking over and you have all this NIL. You're getting all these top schools, all these top players that want to go to these schools," Wall said .
"So, uh, a school like Poly Prep [in Brooklyn], like an amazing school. They are about to do something spectacular. You have like IMG [in Florida], all these other schools. So, I think investing in debt, you're going to get your money back quick," he added.
The NIL landscape at the prep school level is still evolving, but it has continued to gain momentum. More U.S. states have become receptive to allowing high school athletes to sign NIL deals, although restrictions and eligibility requirements vary by state and governing athletic association.
It is not only the athletes who have benefited from NIL deals; the schools themselves have gained from them, albeit indirectly, through corporate sponsorships, media rights sales, event hosting and building a stronger brand around their athletes.
A successful basketball program can also attract more families and students to a school, potentially boosting enrollment and revenue.
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Wall is looking to put his basketball knowledge to further use as basketball executive at Howard University. As president of basketball operations, his responsibilities include roster construction, talent evaluation and player mentorship. Wall will also help develop revenue-sharing strategies, oversee budget management, negotiate with agents and handle matters related to NILs.
Wall is aware of the responsibilities placed on him by Howard but is excited to take on the challenge and deliver on them.
"Stepping into this role is something I'm truly excited about. Washington, DC has always been my second home, and it means a lot to me to be able to come back and pour into a community that's given me so much. To be part of what is building here and help shape the future of these young men is something I take a lot of pride in," Wall shared .
Wall continues to grow into the next chapter of his career and by the looks of it, he has found a direction he wants to pursue beyond playing basketball.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
