Wizards HC Brooks Anticipates John Wall to Return from Injury 'As Good as Ever'

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall hasn't played since December 2018 and will be 30 years old at the start of next season, but head coach Scott Brooks believes he will be "as good as ever" upon his return. 

"He's running, he's jumping, he's shooting," Brooks said during a Tuesday appearance on The Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan (h/t Larry Brown Sports). "He's shooting the lights out. That's the good thing about an injury like he's had—all you have to do is shoot. He's looking good. Still lots of work to be done, but he has the right mindset. I anticipate him coming back and being as good as ever."

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the NBA denied the Wizards' disabled player exception request for Wall in October and noted he is expected to miss the 2019-20 campaign as he rehabs from a torn Achilles.

Even getting close to the same version of Wall when he does return would be a welcome development for Washington.

It selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft out of Kentucky, and he became a five-time All-Star and 2016-17 All-NBA Third Team selection. However, he appeared in 41 games in 2017-18 and 32 matchups last season as he dealt with knee, heel and Achilles injuries.

Wall's game is largely based on explosive athletic ability, which allows him to get out in transition, attack the basket with a lightning-quick first step and stay in front of fellow ball-handlers on the perimeter.

Shooting has never been his specialty. He's connected on just 32.4 percent of his triples in his career.

The fact Brooks specifically mentioned "all you can do is shoot" during this injury rehab suggests Wall recognizes one path to improvement upon his return would be a better ability to take advantage of the space defenders give him because of his speed. He will need to be a better shooter if he loses some of his quickness before his return.