Former NBA star John Wall continues to pay his late mother Frances Pulley’s mobile phone bill nearly 7 years after her passing to keep her active number for twice-daily text messages. Wall opened up about his ongoing grieving process during a recent appearance on Forbes’ The Enterprise Zone with Jabari Young, detailing how he maintains his daily connection. Frances passed away in December 2019 at 58 years old following a prolonged battle with breast cancer while Wall was actively rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon.
Retired NBA Star Pays Late Mother’s Phone Bill to Text Her
The 5-time All-Star explained that keeping the phone number active allows him to send morning and evening messages despite knowing she cannot reply. Wall noted that nobody else has access to the number and that the routine provides necessary personal comfort during quiet moments at home. His phone’s display background remains a photo from his November 2, 2010 home opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, where he put up 29 points, 13 assists, and 9 steals before celebrating with his mother on the court.
This habit evolved from a prior routine detailed in a 2022 essay for The Players’ Tribune, where Wall shared that he initially called her phone six or seven times a day just to hear her voicemail recording. Those frequent calls eventually transitioned into text messages as time progressed. When facing particularly difficult days, the 11-year NBA veteran relies on looking through photo albums and reflecting on memories rather than seeking external distractions.
“I made sure I paid the [phone] bill for that for the rest of the time I’m going to be on this earth, so I can send my daily text in the morning and my daily text at night,” Wall said.
Wall made clear that the financial cost of maintaining the line is a permanent commitment he gladly makes to preserve that daily ritual. As the former No. 1 overall draft pick continues to navigate life after basketball, his tribute remains an intensely personal window into his bond with the person he often calls his best friend. Whether that quiet routine brings him lasting peace through the years ahead is something only time will tell.
About the Author
