John Wall Opens Up About Suicide Attempts: “I Put A Gun To My Head Twice”

Armon Sadler
·2 min read
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Warning: The following article contains triggering language involving suicide.

John Wall was one of the most electrifying players in the NBA in the 2010s, but the last few years of his career haven’t been easy both on and off the court. The five-time All-Star revealed that he almost committed suicide via gunshot on two separate occasions.

Wall joined The OGs Podcast with former NBA players Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller on Tuesday (March 12) and discussed how he spiraled after the death of his mother in 2019. “Mental health is serious, I had to go get a therapist after that,” he said. “If it wasn’t for my two boys… I put a gun to my head twice, and a lot of people that’s close to me and my friends at the time didn’t know.”

What kept him from pulling the trigger was knowing that he was responsible for his children. “Man, if I take myself away from this Earth, I’m failing my kids,” the former Houston Rockets guard said of an internal conversation he had. “I know I gotta be there for them… At that time, I was in a dark space trying to find happiness. So for me it was going out, partying, having fun. Just trying to find something to get me some peace and it wasn’t the right way.”

John Wall coped with the loss of his mother and grandmother while also battling injuries in the NBA. He found trouble getting a significant role on rosters but was able to come to terms with his status due to proper mental health practices.

“I still talk to a therapist to this day,” he said. “So if you ever feel like you’re in a spot where you’re not comfortable, as a Black man, African-American, or any race… Go get help, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with it. I had to figure that out or I wouldn’t be here today.”

Wall spent most of his career with the Washington Wizards before a two-year stint with the Houston Rockets and then playing one year with the Los Angeles Clippers. In February 2023, he was traded back to the Rockets and waived three days later. Aside from his five All-Star selections, he also made the All-Rookie team in 2011, the All-Defensive second team in 2015, and the All-NBA Third Team in 2017.

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