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When it comes to assists in NBA history, most people immediately think of Magic Johnson. However, with 15,806 career assists, John Stockton is the real leader in this category.
While Stockton’s talent is undeniable, his story is often overshadowed by contemporaries like Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. In this article, we delve into the untold story of John Stockton, from his upbringing in Spokane, Washington, to his basketball career at Gonzaga University, and finally his incredible 19-year career with the Utah Jazz.
We’ll also explore how Stockton’s skill set revolutionized the point guard position and his impact on the entire game of basketball. So sit back and get ready to learn about one of the greatest players in NBA history.
This is the biography of John Stockton, the all-time assists king.
John Stockton’s Early Life and College Career
John Stockton was born on March 26, 1962 in Spokane, Washington, to Clementine and Jack Stockton. Stockton grew up playing basketball in Spokane and attended Gonzaga Preparatory High School, where he excelled on the court and set the city record for most career points.
After high school, Stockton attended Gonzaga University, where his grandfather played football and where his father also attended. At Gonzaga, Stockton became a star player for the Bulldogs.
During his time at Gonzaga, Stockton became the school’s all-time leader in assists and steals over four years. In 1984, in his senior year, Stockton averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 3.9 steals and was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
Despite his college success, Stockton was not highly regarded by NBA teams until he was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 16th overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft.
Stockton’s collegiate career not only set records but shaped his image as a player. His vision and passing ability were largely influenced by his time at Gonzaga and the coaches he received there.
The competitive nature of college basketball also instilled a work ethic in Stockton that persisted throughout his NBA career. Those early years laid the foundation for his storied NBA career.
John Stockton joins Utah Jazz and becomes NBA’s all-time assists and steals leader
John Stockton is currently a member of the Utah Jazz, selected by the Utah Jazz with the 16th overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. Not many people expected Stockton to be a franchise player, but after being selected by the Jazz in the 1985 draft, the team would have not one but two franchise players and they would form one of the best duos of all time.
Yes, the duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone would start dominating the league in 1985-86 with an unstoppable pick-and-roll movement. In the 1987-88 season, Stockton became the Jazz’s starting point guard, a move the team will not regret.
In his first year as a starter, Stockton averaged 14.7 points, 13.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Stockton’s assists per game average was high enough to lead the league, marking the ninth straight season in which he led the league in assists.
The Jazz made the playoffs every year they played in Stockton, but the team’s best successes clearly came in 1996-97 and 1997-98. Stockton and Malone led the Jazz to two straight NBA Finals.
Among them was the epic game-winning shot against the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals. After the Jazz trailed the Rockets 49-43 in the first half, Stockton knew he had to step up as he had just four points and four assists in the game and a -7 +/- grade.
In the second half, Stockton performed well. He scored 21 points and 9 assists in the second half, shooting 7 of 10 from the field and 3 of 5 from three-point range.
Then, with 2.8 seconds left in the game, the score was tied at 100-100. The Jazz dominated possession, and Stockton was ready to push his team over the edge.
Brian Russell passes the ball to Stockton, and Stockton breaks away from the defender. Stockton caught the ball, took a big dribble, and got up from a 3-pointer as Charles Barkley charged at him. Stockton’s 3-pointer goes over Barkley’s outstretched arm…the ball whizzes into the basket.
The Jazz won the game 103-100, with Stockton scoring 25 points, 13 assists and 2 steals. Stockton spoke about the importance of his game-winning shot to the Rockets:
“Even though I hit the ball, I never felt strongly that I hit it,” Stockton said. “It was ‘We did it.'” I remember breathlessly saying, “We did it!” We’re finally in the Finals, a door we’ve knocked on so many times. “
Yes, Stockton and his Utah Jazz are about to play in their first NBA Finals. The only problem is Michael Jordan, whose Chicago Bulls are waiting.
The Jazz met the same fate as every other team that faced Jordan’s Bulls in the NBA Finals…and they lost. Unfortunately for Utah, their two losses to the Bulls in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals came in a heartbreaking Game 6.
When the 1997 and 1998 Finals came, Stockton was 35 and 36 years old, respectively, and despite losing the Finals, he still played well in the series. In the 1997 Finals, Stockton averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
He then averaged 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game. After the 1997-98 season, Stockton never returned to the NBA Finals, and he played until 2002-03, 19 seasons before he called it a career.
Stockton has had a stellar career, it’s a shame people don’t talk about his greatness as much as they should. For one, his unique style of play set him apart from other players of his generation.
Stockton wasn’t the tallest or most athletic player on the court, but his skill and precision were unmatched. His signature move is the pick-and-roll, which he executes flawlessly and has helped him become the NBA’s all-time assist leader.
Stockton was known for his unselfish approach to the game, always prioritizing his team’s success over personal glory. He’s a master passer, often making no-look passes and threading the needle between defenders to find teammates for easy shots. He has an incredible basketball IQ, able to predict what his teammates are going to do before they do it.
Stockton finished his career averaging 13.1 points, 10.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. Those are impressive, but his career total is even more impressive.
Stockton scored a total of 19,711 points, he is the all-time leading player with 15,806 assists, and less mentioned is his 3,265 career steals, which is also the most in history.
Stockton was a 10-time All-Star, 2-time Olympic gold medalist and played on the famous Dream Team in 1992. He is a 9-time assists champion, 2-time steals champion, 11-time All-NBA selection (2-time First Team, 6-time Second Team, 3-time Third Team), and a 5-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team selection.
All of which earned Stockton a place in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2009. If people really paid attention to Stockton’s achievements, they would definitely rank him higher on the list of all-time greats, because he deserves it.
Personal Life of John Stockton
While John Stockton’s achievements on the field are well known and celebrated, his off-field life and charity work are just as impressive.
Off the court, Stockton is a devoted husband and father of six.
He often talks about his family being the most important thing in his life and how he tries to balance his NBA career with spending time with his loved ones.
Stockton is also a committed philanthropist, giving back to the community in various ways.
Stockton has done volunteer work in various locations in Salt Lake City, where he played for the Utah Jazz. These include Primary Children’s Medical Center, the Children’s Miracle Network, the Utah Chapter of the National Association for the Prevention of Blindness, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the NBA’s “Stay in School” program.
In addition to his volunteer work, Stockton is involved in coaching youth basketball teams and helping young players develop their skills. He frequently hosts basketball camps and clinics for kids, where he shares his knowledge and experience with the next generation of players.
Stockton also worked as an assistant coach at Montana State University, where he worked with the Jazz, helping train Jazz players Deron Williams and Trey Burke.
Stockton has been embroiled in some controversy lately for his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine and the pandemic in general. That has dimmed his opinion among some, while others have praised him for having the courage to speak out on the issues.
Collectively, Stockton’s personal life and philanthropic work demonstrate that he was not only a great athlete, but also a compassionate and generous individual who used his success to positively impact the world around him.
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