
The Washington Wizards have had several players from the franchise’s past be recognized for their achievements and accolades during their time with the team. Those players were honored by having their jerseys retired, never to be worn by another Wizard again. Now, Washington is doing right by another franchise legend, and while it may not be a jersey retirement, it could signal that his number will be up there soon.
Earl Monroe, Elvin Hayes, Gus Johnson, Wes Unseld, and Phil Chenier. For many, those are just random names when put together. But what do they have in common? Across the Wizards’ 65 seasons, these are the only five players to have their numbers raised in the rafters of Capital One Arena.
One name that’s not on this list and that should be is John Wall, a five-time All-Star who won 271 games with Washington while accumulating a franchise record 5,282 assists and 976 steals. After announcing his retirement in August of 2025, he may be inching closer to seeing his coveted No. 2 jersey hanging high with the other franchise greats. This week, the Wizards announced that later this month, they’ll honor the legend with not one but two nights honoring his time with the team.
On Jan. 27, Wizards fans will have a chance to buy merchandise at a Wall-themed pop-up store located inside Capital One Arena. The store (located near section 118) will offer a variety of merchandise items, such as shirts and jerseys.
Additionally, the scorer’s table from Game 6 of the 2017 NBA Playoffs will be there on display for fans. For those that don’t remember, Wall hit an iconic go-ahead buzzer-beater with 1.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter to send the semifinals series against the Boston Celtics to Game 7.
On the second night of Wall’s celebration (Jan. 29), the first 15,000 fans in attendance will get a free Wall bobblehead. Wall will have an entire night of themed videos and in-game activations to himself. Halftime is when the real show will begin, as a celebration of Wall’s contributions will take place. It’s not mentioned exactly what will happen. However, fans should expect a tribute video and more activities to take place.
Wizards governor Ted Leonsis, and his son Zach Leonsis, will also donate to the John Wall Family Foundation. Wall’s foundation works with disadvantaged families and at-risk youth, making a sizable impact in the DMV area.
When asked about Wall’s celebration, Leonsis had this to say:
“From the moment John Wall joined our organization, he set the standard for what it means to represent the Wizards franchise-with integrity, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates, our fans, and the District. John’s impact extends far beyond the stat sheet. He embraced D.C. as his home and gave back to the city with deep pride and purpose. Within our organization, he helped elevate everyone around him and left a lasting mark that will be felt for generations. We are incredibly grateful for his contributions and proud to celebrate an extraordinary career.”
In light of these celebrations, one has to ask whether Wall will finally get his jersey retired. His number is certainly rafter worthy. While it’s not mentioned anywhere, it could be thrown in as a special surprise.
If it is to happen, it would most likely be during the halftime celebrations.
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