John Stockton is an American former professional basketball player who played his entire 19-year career with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time and was one of the most prolific passers in NBA history. Stockton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Early Life of John Stockton
John Stockton was born on March 26, 1962 in Spokane, Washington. His father, Jack Stockton, was a former professional basketball player, and his mother, Clementine Frei, was a member of the Spokane tribe. He grew up in a small town in the Spokane Valley and attended high school at Gonzaga Prep. Stockton was a standout basketball player in high school and was named to the McDonald’s All-American team in 1979.
Stockton attended college at Gonzaga University, where he played for the Bulldogs basketball team from 1979 to 1984. He became one of the top collegiate players in the country and was named to the All-West Coast Conference team three times. He was also named the WCC Player of the Year in 1984.
Basketball Career of John Stockton
Stockton was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 16th overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft. He was a key member of the Jazz for 19 seasons, from 1984 to 2003. He was a ten-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team five times. He also won two gold medals with the U.S. Olympic team in 1992 and 1996.
Stockton was known for his ability to run the offense and set up his teammates. He led the league in assists for nine consecutive seasons and holds the record for most career assists and steals. He is also the all-time leader in assists per game, with an average of 11.2 assists per game.
Post-Retirement Life of John Stockton
Stockton retired from the NBA in 2003 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. He currently serves as a consultant for the Jazz and is a co-owner of the Spokane Shock, an arena football team in the Indoor Football League.
In addition to his basketball career, Stockton is also an author. He has written two books, Assisted: A Memoir, and The Stockton to Malone: The Story of Two Friends and the Game That Changed the NBA. He also serves as a spokesman for the NBA Cares program.
John Stockton is one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game of basketball. His 19-year career with the Utah Jazz was marked by consistent excellence and he is still revered by fans and players alike. Stockton is now enjoying life in retirement, with his post-career activities including writing books, consulting for the Jazz, and serving as a spokesman for the NBA Cares program.
