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John Wall has missed about one-quarter of the games since he was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. He hasn't been an All-Star. His team hasn't won more than 29 games in a regular season.
Yet his game — and his team — got considerably better when he returned from an injury last season, and he remains the cornerstone of the Washington Wizards, who took the calculated risk Wednesday of signing the point guard to a contract extension. Two people familiar with the deal say it's a max deal, worth about $80 million over five years.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team's announcement Wednesday did not reveal financial terms. A news conference will be held Thursday.
"He is the cornerstone of our team," Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said in the team's release announcing the extension. "And we have clearly expressed our desire to build around him."
Wall was the top overall pick in the 2010 draft after playing one season of college basketball at Kentucky, immediately becoming the prime building block for a Wizards club that now has missed the playoffs each of the past five seasons.
He has averaged 16.9 points, eight assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 35.8 minutes during his career.
Rockets' Jones arrested for hurting homeless man
Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones was arrested in Portland, Ore., on Wednesday after he was seen stomping on a homeless man's leg, a police spokesman said.
A police sergeant making sure people remained orderly while they left a downtown club shortly after 2 a.m. saw the 6-foot-9 Jones walk by a doorway where two homeless men were sleeping and yell, "Wake up!" before lifting his foot and stomping on one man's leg, said Sgt. Pete Simpson, a Portland police spokesman.
Jones, 21, was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on a misdemeanor harassment charge. He was released on his own recognizance and later pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
The homeless man, identified as 46-year-old Daniel Kellerher, had a minor injury that did not require immediate medical attention, Simpson said.
Harris, Mavs work out his return
Free agent Devin Harris has officially rejoined the Dallas Mavericks.
The 10th-year guard was acquired as the No. 5 pick on draft night in 2004 and spent his first 3½ seasons with Dallas before a trade with New Jersey that brought Jason Kidd back to the Mavericks.
Harris originally agreed to join Dallas nearly a month ago, but the contract was held up by concerns over a toe injury.