John Stockton, widely considered one of basketball's greatest point guards, played his entire 19-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz. Notably, he led the team to the playoffs every season and reached the NBA Finals alongside teammate Karl Malone in 1997 and 1998, ultimately losing to the Chicago Bulls. Stockton's career is marked by his exceptional passing and leadership, solidifying his legacy as a basketball icon.
1926: John Houston Stockton's Championship Win
John Houston Stockton, John Stockton's grandfather, was part of the Frankford Yellow Jackets team that won the NFL Championship in 1926.
March 26, 1962: Birth of John Stockton
John Houston Stockton was born on March 26, 1962.
1979: Kevin Porter's Assist Record
In 1979, Kevin Porter achieved a remarkable feat by recording 1,099 assists in a single season.
1980: High School Graduation and Basketball Record
John Stockton graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1980. He broke the city record for points scored in a single basketball season.
June 1984: Drafted by the Utah Jazz
John Stockton was drafted by the Utah Jazz in June 1984, marking the beginning of his illustrious NBA journey.
November 10, 1984: Rookie Season High Score
On November 10, 1984, during his rookie season with the Utah Jazz, John Stockton had his highest-scoring game, putting up 19 points against the Denver Nuggets in just 19 minutes of play.
1984: US Olympic Team Tryouts
In 1984, John Stockton was invited to the tryouts for the U.S. Olympic basketball team. He made the initial cut but was later released. During this time, he met his future teammate, Karl Malone.
1984: College Success and WCAC Player of the Year
In 1984, John Stockton's basketball talent shone as he led the Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 17-11 record. His performance earned him the title of West Coast Athletic Conference (WCAC) Player of the Year.
1984: NBA Debut with Utah Jazz
John Stockton began his NBA career with the Utah Jazz in 1984. He was drafted 16th overall and spent his entire career with the team.
1985: Isiah Thomas's Assist Record
In 1985, Isiah Thomas made history by achieving an impressive 1,123 assists within a single season.
1987: Becoming the Starting Point Guard
John Stockton became the starting point guard for the Utah Jazz in the 1987–88 season.
1988: All-NBA Second Team and Rise to Prominence
Despite not being selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, John Stockton had a breakout year in the 1987-88 season. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team and finished tenth in MVP voting.
1989: Start of 1989-1990 NBA Season
John Stockton missed four games during the 1989-1990 NBA season, marking the first games he missed in his career.
1990: Record-Breaking Assist Average
John Stockton set the NBA record for the highest assists-per-game average in a single season with 14.5 assists during the 1990 season.
January 15, 1991: Career-High Assists in a Single Game
On January 15, 1991, John Stockton showcased his exceptional passing ability by dishing out a career-high and franchise-record 28 assists in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
1992: First Western Conference Finals Appearance
John Stockton and the Utah Jazz reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 1992, marking a significant milestone in their journey. However, they were defeated by the Portland Trail Blazers.
1992: Olympic Success with the "Dream Team"
John Stockton was an integral part of the legendary 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, often referred to as the "Dream Team," which dominated the competition and won the gold medal.
1992: The Dream Team
John Stockton joined other NBA stars on the historic 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team, famously known as the "Dream Team." This marked the first time NBA players participated in the Olympics. Stockton won a gold medal with the team.
1993: All-Star Game Co-MVP
In 1993, John Stockton, along with his teammate Karl Malone, was named co-MVP of the NBA All-Star Game, which was held in their home city of Salt Lake City.
1994: Reaching the Conference Finals Again
John Stockton and the Jazz made it to the Conference Finals in 1994, showcasing their consistency as a top team.
1994: Continued Playoff Runs
John Stockton and the Utah Jazz continued to be a formidable force in the NBA playoffs during the 1994-95 season.
February 1, 1995: Surpassing Magic Johnson to Become the NBA's All-Time Assists Leader
On February 1, 1995, John Stockton etched his name in NBA history books by surpassing Magic Johnson to become the league's all-time leader in assists. He achieved this feat while playing against the Denver Nuggets.
1996: Team Agreement and Loyalty
In 1996, John Stockton agreed to a deal with the Utah Jazz that created salary-cap space for the team's improvement. In return, he requested guaranteed ice time at the Delta Center for his son's hockey team.
1996: Named One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History
In 1996, John Stockton received a prestigious honor as he was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
1996: NBA's 50 Greatest Players
In 1996, John Stockton's exceptional talent and impact on the game earned him a place among the NBA's 50 Greatest Players, a testament to his enduring legacy in basketball history.
1996: 1996 U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball Team
John Stockton was part of the 1996 U.S. men's Olympic basketball team, winning his second gold medal.
1996: Franchise Record for Wins
The Utah Jazz had a remarkable regular season in 1996–97, setting a franchise record and leading the Western Conference with an impressive 64 wins.
1997: First NBA Finals Appearance
In 1997, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz reached their first NBA Finals. They faced the Chicago Bulls but lost the series.
1997: 1997-1998 NBA Season: Injury and Return
At the start of the 1997-1998 NBA season, John Stockton suffered an MCL injury during the preseason, causing him to miss the first 18 games. This was the only major injury of his career, and he returned to play without missing further games.
1997: The Shot and First NBA Finals Appearance
During the 1997 playoffs, John Stockton hit one of the most iconic shots in NBA history, known as "The Shot." In Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets, Stockton's buzzer-beating three-pointer secured the Jazz's first-ever trip to the NBA Finals.
1997: Return from Injury
After missing the start of the season due to a knee injury, John Stockton returned to the court in the 1997-98 season, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to the game.
1998: Second NBA Finals Appearance and a Heartbreaking Loss
In 1998, John Stockton and the Jazz once again faced Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. Despite a valiant effort, the Jazz fell short, losing a closely contested series in six games.
1998: Second NBA Finals Appearance
The Utah Jazz, led by John Stockton, made their second consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals in 1998, where they again faced the Chicago Bulls, but ultimately lost the series.
1999: Sports Illustrated Recognition
Sports Illustrated bestowed a significant honor upon John Stockton in 1999, recognizing him as the best athlete to emerge from Washington state during the 20th century.
May 2, 2003: Retirement Announcement
John Stockton announced his retirement from the NBA on May 2, 2003, after 19 seasons with the Utah Jazz.
2003: Post-Retirement Coaching and Business Ventures
After retiring from professional basketball, John Stockton returned to Spokane and dedicated his time to coaching youth basketball teams. He was involved with multiple teams simultaneously. Alongside coaching, Stockton pursued business ventures, including construction projects.
2003: Retirement from the NBA
John Stockton retired from the NBA in 2003 after an impressive career with the Utah Jazz.
November 22, 2004: Jersey Retirement
The Utah Jazz retired John Stockton's No. 12 jersey on November 22, 2004, a testament to his remarkable contributions to the franchise.
March 23, 2006: Statues Unveiled
On March 23, 2006, the Utah Jazz honored John Stockton and his long-time teammate, Karl Malone, by unveiling statues of both players in front of their home arena.
May 11, 2006: ESPN.com Ranking
On May 11, 2006, ESPN.com recognized John Stockton's exceptional skills and contributions to basketball by ranking him as the fourth-best point guard of all time.
2009: Induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
John Stockton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 for his incredible individual career.
2009: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
John Stockton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, solidifying his place as one of the greatest point guards in basketball history.
2010: Hall of Fame Induction with the "Dream Team"
In 2010, the entire 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, including John Stockton, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, celebrating their extraordinary talent and contribution to basketball history.
2010: Hall of Fame Induction with the 1992 US Olympic Team
In 2010, John Stockton received another honor as he was inducted into the Hall of Fame once again, this time as a member of the legendary 1992 United States Olympic basketball team, also known as the "Dream Team."
2011: Michael Stockton's Basketball Journey
Michael Stockton, John Stockton's son, began his professional basketball career in 2011 when he signed with BG Karlsruhe in Germany's second basketball division after playing college basketball at Westminster College.
2011: Shawn Stockton's College Basketball Career
Shawn Stockton, John Stockton's nephew, finished his college basketball career at the University of Montana during the 2011-2012 season.
2013: Autobiography Release and Coaching Candidacy
In 2013, John Stockton published his autobiography, "Assisted," co-written with Kerry L. Pickett, his former junior high school coach. The book's foreword was penned by Karl Malone. Notably, Stockton was considered as a potential coaching candidate for the Utah Jazz.
2014: David Stockton's Basketball Career
David Stockton, another son of John Stockton, concluded his college basketball career at Gonzaga in 2014. After playing for the Reno Bighorns in the NBA Development League, he went on to play for the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz in the NBA.
October 28, 2015: Joining Montana State University's Coaching Staff
John Stockton took on the role of assistant coach for Montana State University's women's basketball program on October 28, 2015, filling the position left vacant by Kellee Barney's departure. Stockton's prior experience coaching some of the MSU players during their time in Amateur Athletic Union leagues made him a suitable candidate.
2017: Michael Stockton Joins BG Göttingen
Michael Stockton signed with BG Göttingen in Germany's top basketball league, the Basketball Bundesliga, in 2017.
2020: Laura Stockton's Professional Debut
Laura Stockton, John Stockton's daughter, began her professional basketball career in 2020 by signing with Herner TC in Germany.
October 2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection
In October 2021, John Stockton received a prestigious honor by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, solidifying his place among the league's all-time greats.
October 2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In October 2021, John Stockton's legacy in basketball was further cemented when he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
2021: "V-Revealed, COVID Edition" Video Series
John Stockton participated in a video series titled "V-Revealed, COVID Edition" in 2021, where he expressed skepticism about the COVID-19 pandemic and raised concerns about vaccines.
January 2022: Gonzaga University Suspension
In January 2022, Gonzaga University made the decision to suspend John Stockton's season tickets. This action was taken due to Stockton's refusal to comply with the university's mask mandate.
2022: The Athletic's Ranking
In 2022, in celebration of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic unveiled its ranking of the top 75 players of all time. John Stockton secured the 25th spot on this prestigious list, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greatest players.
2022: Laura Stockton Joins the TK Hannover Luchse
Laura Stockton signed with the TK Hannover Luchse in Germany in 2022, where her skills and style of play quickly made her a fan favorite.
February 2023: NBA All-Time Scoring List
As of February 2023, John Stockton holds the 55th position on the all-time NBA scoring list with an impressive career total of 19,711 points.