John Wall Charged After Break-In

John Wall, the 18-year-old prized high school basketball recruit and consensus No. 1 point guard in his class, needed 14 months of clean living to be a certain high pick in the NBA draft. And there was no reason to think he'd get in any sort of trouble right now, primarily because he hasn't committed to a college yet; in fact, he's allowed his recruitment to drag on painfully.

Athletes in Trouble With the Law

May 4: Prized recruit John Wall is charged with a misdemeanor breaking and entering. Click through to see more sports figures in trouble with the law.

Chris Williams, Icon Sports Media

May 4: NFL wide receiver Biren Ealy, pictured, and tight end Kolomona Kapanui were accused of being drunk, urinating in public and exposing themselves.

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April 30: Former football star Lawrence Phillips, pictured here with the Dolphins in 1998, will go to trial on charges that he attacked his girlfriend in 2005. Phillips already is serving a 10-year sentence for hitting three teenagers with his car in Los Angeles.

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April 26: Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips was cited for misdemeanor battery for allegedly striking a security guard in the face at a hotel.

Tom Hevezi, AP

April 22: Former Jaguars star Jimmy Smith faces multiple drug charges, plus a charge of driving with a suspended license following an arrest.

Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

April 20: Purdue point guard Lewis Jackson pleads guilty to illegal alcohol consumption and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

April 15: Eugene Edgerson, a former Arizona basketball player who tours with the Harlem Globetrotters, was arrested for the second time in two months on domestic violence charges.

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April 16: Former Broncos running back Travis Henry admitted to a single count of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and faces 10 years or more in prison.

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April 13: Michigan State's Glenn Winston was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to assault charges.

Carolyn Kaster, AP

April 11: Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner was arrested on charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting police outside a Cleveland nightclub.

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But according to WRAL.com, Wall's fortunes took a turn for the worst last night when he was charged with breaking and entering relating to an April 27 break-in at a house in Wall's hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Authorities said Wall, 18, was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering in connection with an April 27 break-in at a home at 3924 Laurel Glen Drive in Raleigh.

An officer saw Wall leaving from the rear of the residence and was able to detain him, police said.

There's an interesting stipulation to the break-in though, because there was apparently no forced entry and nothing was stolen. However, provided that the charges stick and/or this is a true allegation, it's going to have serious consequences on Wall's future.

First of all, Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams might withdraw Duke and Carolina, respectively, from the race to recruit Wall. Sidney Lowe of NC State will be hard pressed to take the nation's No. 1-ranked point guard as well. And it would seem difficult for Bill Self and Kansas to amp up their pursuit.

However, John Calipari and Kentucky may not feel the same way; that's not to indict Coach Cal or the Wildcat boosters who so desperately want a star point guard, but I think that the general consensus agrees with my perception that Calipari would still be amenable to the point guard.

Additionally, Wall visited North Carolina Central recently, presumably because of eligibility issues, and there's a chance that he could still be candidate to land there. The bottom line is, though, that provided these charges are accurate, Wall has severely damaged a lot of the leverage he had with certain schools and may end up with less pre-NBA exposure than he wants or initially planned on.

Latest College Basketball Images

In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo and dancers rehearse in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo will participate in a Broadway-style show, "Izzo Goes to Broadway" as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo rehearses in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo will participate in a Broadway-style show, "Izzo Goes to Broadway" as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo reacts as he rehearses a dance routine with his players in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo will participate in a Broadway-style show, "Izzo Goes to Broadway" as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, left, rehearses with director Greg Ganakas, as Izzo's son, Steven, 8, twirls a cane in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo will participate in a Broadway-style show, "Izzo Goes to Broadway" as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, center, plays the accordion as he rehearses with dancers Brittane Rowe, left, Kellyn Uhl, and Stephanie Koenig, right, in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo will participate in a Broadway-style show, "Izzo Goes to Broadway" as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, right, and his and wife Lupe rehearse in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo will participate in a Broadway-style show, "Izzo Goes to Broadway" as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo is surrounded by Michigan State dance team members as they rehearse in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo will participate in a Broadway-style show, "Izzo Goes to Broadway" as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, center, rehearses with wife Lupe, right, and choreographer Kellyn Uhl, left, along with Michigan State basketball players and dance team members in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo will participate in a Broadway-style show, "Izzo Goes to Broadway" as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony hugs New Orleans Hornets' Rasual Butler after Anthony and his team won Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference basketball playoffs in Denver April 29, 2009. Anthony led all scorers with 34 points in the win. REUTERS/Marc Piscotty (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Denver Nuggets' Kenyon Martin dunks over the New Orleans Hornets' Peja Stojakovic (back) during Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference basketball playoffs in Denver April 29, 2009. REUTERS/Marc Piscotty (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

5-04-2009 @ 11:57AM

nohiphop2 said...

He still could get into the nba draft this year since he turns 19 in September and went to Prep School.

5-04-2009 @ 12:43PM

rlbrooks726 said...

I'm sure some school, possibly Thug U, will offer him a scholarship. One little breaking and entering isn't a big deal...I'm sure he will be a model student/athlete when he gets to college.

5-04-2009 @ 1:00PM

obamaizadope said...

Calipari probably paid him to commit the crime so the "reputable" schools would drop out..

5-04-2009 @ 2:50PM

mdkin01 said...

This wont effect Calipari at all. If anything, he will turn up his recruiting efforts. If it isnt a felony, and Kentucky and the SEC has no stipulation against it, I see Wall at Kentucky.

5-04-2009 @ 4:40PM

Tony Di said...

He may be sidelined as far as his college situation is concerned but the ALMIGHTY dollar sign will not deter a general mananager of an NBA team to open the vault to sign him.

5-04-2009 @ 5:03PM

Tom said...

send him to my alma mater--South Carolina--They will take anybody and I mean anybody

5-04-2009 @ 5:21PM

bdbridges99 said...

Just get georgetown and John Thompson to help him like they did Allen Iverson..

5-04-2009 @ 6:35PM

rclif26182 said...

PLEASE GO TO ST. JOHNS!!!!!!! We are desparate!!!

5-04-2009 @ 9:43PM

sanclair said...

first of all, Carolina has never made Wall an offer to attend school in Chapel Hill, get your facts straight, mr. author of this article.Second the house is empty, probably a sales model, I looked the house up on Wake CO. website. IT appears to more of a trespassing charge than anything,
a Raleigh reader.

5-04-2009 @ 10:39PM

htcorner23 said...

Hmmm...Calipari collected thugs at Memphis but will that work as well at Kentucky? Time will tell.

5-05-2009 @ 2:16AM

Mike McNamee said...

Calpari likes theses type of guys. Tyreke Evans shot a guy and he still got to play for Calpari. Lucky for Evan's his cousin took his heat, wonder who will step up for Wall?

5-05-2009 @ 3:44AM

Sportz Assassin said...

Wall didn't visit NCCU. He cancelled the visit last week.

5-05-2009 @ 8:12AM

t2wayneg1 said...

Yes,Kentucky needs a point guard and Walls might be a #1 recruit. Yes he's 18 and everybody has made some dumb mistakes they wish they hadn't,still no excuse, but if he wasn't #1 you would never had heard about it.

5-05-2009 @ 10:14AM

Fran said...

I first thought I had lived too long when Madonna first grabbed her crotch, then Bambi's FATHER returns to raise him, missed the huge red flag completely when Disney actually left Disney, and now I read,that they're actually pushing for a criminal charge against a talented player even though they admit there was no forced entry and nothing stolen. Do you all get it now? Do you still wonder why the powers that be in this Country can generate enough hate for us, globally, to cause 4Air Disasters and take down the Twin Towers? What's wrong with us that we even let these warped Electeds get away with what they do to us? Take a stand, will you?...before they have us from the knees we're already on to the floor flat on our bellies.

5-05-2009 @ 2:27PM

Linzi said...

Thank you, Fran!!! I too was confused by this story and some of the comments made regarding it. I guess if you are black in America you should do your best to avoid walking around a neighborhood lest some biased racist f#@%tard cop (mercuriojoe, you know who you are) happens to see you and fabricates some charges to pin on you. Jesus, really, what is this world coming to?

5-05-2009 @ 10:23AM

OMG! I just realized that all the posters before me completely ignored the threat to all of our personal freedom and simply went on to chat about where and who and how he will get to play.
No wonder America's in the shape it's in...apparantly you don't give a shit as long as you get your jollies from watching a game. THEY HAVE PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY ARE SEEKING CRIMINAL CHARGES WITHOUT EVIDENCE! GOD YOU PEOPLE SCARE ME.