John Wall takes a break from his busy offseason schedule.

Going from college star to NBA rookie wasn’t an easy transition for Washington Wizard’s point guard John Wall.  Amidst talk that he should have remained in college and his shaky jumpshot, Wall is finally proving his doubters wrong.  He’s had an explosive offseason becoming a key highlight maker for the Goodman League.  Now in collaboration with Reebok, Wall is set to release his first signature “Zig Encore” footwear and “J Wall” apparel line at Foot Locker stores nationwide.

John Wall kicked off the release on Wednesday at Foot Locker in Manhattan.  The event featured Wall alongside DJ and top radio personality Funkmaster Flex.  Wall sat and took questions from Flex, the media, and some special high school students invited to the event.  He touched on a variety of topics including a possible appearance at the popular All-Star Slam Dunk contest.
 

Question (Funkmaster Flex): So how was it being involved in the ad campaign, stressful not stressful?

John Wall: It’s not stressful at all, coming where I came from a tough neighborhood it’s a dream come true for me to play in the NBA and have my own shoe and have you guys be here to support me and wear my own shoe and seeing it on other kids means a whole lot to me, so to do the ad campaign and to see yall come out it means a whole lot to me.

Question (Funkmaster Flex): So when you say tough neighborhood, where are you originally from?

John Wall: I’m from Raleigh, North Carolina

Question (Funkmaster Flex): A little hectic?

John Wall: It’s more than a little hectic; it’s tough out there.  It’s not like New York, not like L.A, it’s different.  Every city every state got a tough neighborhood where you grew up.

Question (Funkmaster Flex): So how do you feel with your season being delayed?

John Wall: It’s boring its like I’m hot right now this summer ya see me in all these summer highlights, it ain’t how ya wanted me to play last year so that’s the real John Wall ya gonna see this year.  Last year I fought through injuries so this year ya gonna see the real me so this season need to go ahead and start.

Question (Funkmaster Flex):  Who’s some of the people that you looked up to?

John Wall: The person I looked up to was Allen Iverson.  I was small with braids and in 10th grade I grew into how tall I am now so Allen Iverson was the only person I looked up to growing up.

Question (Funkmaster Flex): Have you had the chance to meet him?

John Wall: Well, let me tell you a story.  Before I signed with Reebok, when I went down there, Allen Iverson came down and had like an hour to two hour talk with me and told me why he chose Reebok and how they treated him like family and I took it into consideration of making my decision.

Question (Funkmaster Flex): So in terms of music, what kind of music do you like?  What do you play in that car your driving?

John Wall: I’m playing Meek Mills “I’m A Boss”, I listen to Drake “Headlines” and “I’m on One”, I listen to J.Cole, Rocnation, so I got everybody in my system, Jay Z, Kanye West, I got everybody.

Question (Audience): What’s your advice on being a guard?

John Wall: As a point guard just don’t try to be a scoring point guard, the main thing is being a leader.  That’s the main thing I learned.  I can score whenever I want to but the main thing is to get your teammates involved to begin.  When you get to the fourth quarter, if you did all the scoring and your teammates didn’t touch the ball, you don’t have nobody to finish the game with you.  I’m not Kobe Bryant, I’m not those guys that’ll close the game but I can.  Just get your teammates involved, be a leader, lead by example, in practice you lead, be the first one in line, finishing every line drill, and just talk, you gotta speak up to be a leader.  As a point guard you gotta be a leader, you gotta be the second coach on the court.

Question (Audience): What do you work on during the offseason?

John Wall: I didn’t have to shoot jumpshots when I was in high school; I just ran pass everybody and just dunked and did whatever.  So this whole summer that’s all I’m working on is my jumpshot.  I wanna take the next step to being a superstar, to be an all-star, that’s my goal this year, so I’m working on my jumpshot and everything else.

Question (Audience): How do you keep your confidence up on court?

John Wall: I’m scared of nobody.  When I step on the court, we all play basketball the same way.  It’s just, that person might be better than you but if you let anybody know that they’re better than you they’re going to take full advantage.  Just go out there and play basketball like he a regular person, that’s how I play.

Question (Audience): How do you feel about the ESPN ratings, do you feel like you should have been higher on there?

John Wall: The ratings are what they are I can’t control it I only played one season, my rookie season.  I still have a lot to improve.  I wanna be hot; I wanna be the best point guard, just takes hard work and dedication.  I’m not mad, the rankings are what they are, can’t control them as long as I reach my goal.

Question (Audience): So you’ve been working on your jumper.  Do you try to hit a certain amount everyday?

John Wall: I have to make 2000 a day.

Question (IamaGM.com): I’ve seen in a lot of the pickup and charity games such as Chris Paul’s that you’ve put up some crazy dunks.  Have you considered entering the dunk contest?

John Wall: Yea I’m thinking about it, maybe this year or next year I’ll probably enter the dunk contest.

Question (IamaGM.com): Since there’s a lot going on with the lockout have you ever considered going overseas?

John Wall: No not right now, I think if it starts pushing a lil bit longer, you know they did have that long meeting for 15 hours yesterday so if they don’t get nothing done then probably a month or so I’ll probably start considering over there cause it looks like we won’t have a season