Wizards hope for inspiration from No 1 pick Wall

John Wall was the No 1 pick by the Washington Wizards, leading an impressive array of Kentucky players selected.

John Wall needed only one year to help resurrect the University of Kentucky's basketball program. Now he faces the challenge of trying to spark a similar turnaround with the Washington Wizards. Wall was chosen by the Wizards with the No 1 pick in the NBA draft on Thursday and four more Wildcats were among the top 30 selections, making Kentucky the first school to have five players chosen in the first round.

"I know this is a different level, but I just have to go in and show those guys I'm willing to work and listen as much as I can and be a leader," Wall said. "That's the key, is being a leader and trying to help them win games." One of college basketball's most storied programme, the Wildcats missed the NCAA Tournament in 2009 but Wall led a talented squad to the regional finals this year. The Wizards are trying to bounce back from their own tough times, a season that was embarrassing on the court and in the locker room.

"I feel like I had pressure since I became No 1 in high school and was one of the top players," Wall said. "I always got there hungry wanting to fight hard and compete in every game, so when I step on the court I'm going to take on any challenge there." When his name was announced to begin the draft, Wall hugged family members and donned a blue Wizards cap before climbing onto the stage to shake hands with David Stern, the NBA commissioner .

Wall, who was the Southeastern Conference Player of the year, is the first Kentucky player chosen first overall. He goes to a team still reeling from Gilbert Arenas's season-ending suspension for bringing guns into the team locker room. Wall could replace Arenas as the Wizards' point guard, or perhaps play alongside him in a potential high-scoring backcourt. He'll try to become the third consecutive freshman point guard to win Rookie of the Year honours

Predicted to finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference last season, the Wizards' season quickly went out of control. The campaign reached its low point on New Year's Day when news broke of the altercation involving guns between Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton, who also was suspended for the year. Washington eventually traded stars Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler in a dismal 26-56 finish.

Arenas is eligible to return, but Wall is ready to take charge when the season begins in the autumn. "I was always a leader by example, being the first in the gym and the last in the gym," he said." Kentucky landed a second top-five pick when DeMarcus Cousins was taken by Sacramento at No 5, then put two more players in the top 20 when the Houston Rockets chose Patrick Patterson at No 14 and Oklahoma City took guard Eric Bledsoe - whose rights were later traded to the Clippers - four spots later. Daniel Orton then went to Orlando with the 29th pick, breaking the previous record of four first-round picks being made from one school.

* AP