Yesterday afternoon, to the sounds of Meek Mill’s “Ima Boss,” John Wall made a splash at a Foot Locker store in New York City, celebrating the release of his first signature shoe, the Reebok Zig Encore.
At the event, Wall discussed his level of involvement with the Zig Encore. “I talked to Reebok every day … I really wanted it mid cut, a little lighter for me [and] how I play.” Wall’s custom touches include his J-Wall logo on the tongue, his signature on the medial side of the right shoe and his motto, “humble and hungry,” on the left shoe. Wall also wanted to incorporate a gum sole, reminiscent of Allen Iverson’s Reebok Question (Iverson was his favorite player as a kid). Check out the event action below.
Wall also spoke of his frustration (and boredom) at the delay of the start of the NBA Season. He said he’s maintained contact with his teammates and has worked out with Jordan Crawford, Nick Young, JaVale McGee and Dray Blatche at the 360 Health Club in Reseda, Calif. And what about the player who killed it in the summer leagues? “That’s the real John Wall,” he says. “Last year, I fought through injuries, but y’all gonna see the real me [this season].”
Wall has his sights set on the All-Star game, and more important, the playoffs. When asked how he feels about being part of the “new breed” of point guards redefining the position—including Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams and Chris Paul—Wall acknowledged that those players improve every year, “and that’s something I’m trying to do … take a step each year.”
He also shared a piece of advice with aspiring PGs. “Lead by example,” he said. “The main thing is to get your teammates the ball. [If] you get to the fourth quarter and you did all the scoring, and your teammates ain’t touched the ball, you ain’t going to have nobody to finish the game with you.”
Want more of Wall? Check out the fall issue of STACK magazine—Wall graces the cover.