John Stockton's Hall of Fame Career

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 25, 2011

John Stockton's Hall of Fame Career

Photo courtesy of Gonzaga/Collegiate Images

John Stockton, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, played four seasons at his hometown Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., before being drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 16th pick in 1984. He finished his career as the school's all-time leader in assists (554) and the sixth-leading scorer (1,340 points).

After playing behind Utah's incumbent starting point guard, Rickey Green, his first three seasons, Stockton earned the starting job in 1986 and never let it go. During his 19-year career, he appeared in 10 All-Star Games, set the NBA assists record and was named one of the league's 50 greatest players.

Stockton led the league in steals twice and, with a career total of 3,265, retired as the NBA's all-time leader.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Utah's success flowed from the parternship of Stockton and Karl Malone. Behind the lethal pick-and-roll duo, the Jazz were a perennial playoff team that reached the NBA Finals twice, in 1997 and '98.

Durability was one of Stockton's strengths. He played in 1,504 out of a possible 1,526 regular-season games, the third-most appearances all time.

Stockton was known for his gritty, old-school play -- and his short shorts. Famed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden once said of Stockton, "He's the only pro I would pay to watch play."

Among Stockton's career highlights was his inclusion on both the original Dream Team in 1992 and its successor in 1996 (pictured). Team USA won the gold medal in each event.

In one of his most memorable moments, Stockton nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer over Houston's Charles Barkley in Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference finals. The shot secured an NBA Finals berth for the Jazz.

One thing missing from Stockton's portfolio: a championship ring. The Bulls beat the Jazz in the Finals in back-to-back seasons.

Stockton played his last 15 seasons under coach Jerry Sloan, who is also part of the 2009 Hall of Fame class. As accomplished as he was, Stockton looked over at Sloan on most half-court possessions. "Why wouldn't I?" he told SI near the end of his career. "He's the coach. He runs the team."

Depsite his appearance as an everyman, the 6-foot-1 Stockton was feisty and unafraid against bigger opponents, expecially in setting picks in Utah's well-oiled offense. Some opponents called Stockton a dirty player. "That's ridiculous," Stockton told Sports Illustrated in 1994. "I hope I'm an irritating player. But dirty? Not even close."

Stockton played his last game on April 30, 2003, finishing with eight points and seven assists in a series-clinching loss to the Kings in the first round of the playoffs. He retired two days later.