Stockton gets 11,000th NBA assist
On this day in 1996 the Utah Jazzs point guard John Stockton gets his 11000th assist in the NBA.When Stockton retires from basketball in 2003 he leaves with 15806 career assists a record that still stands.Stockton attended Gonzaga University and in 1984 was drafted by the Utah Jazz where he would spend his entire career.The 61 point guard was the 16th overall pick in that years draft which also included Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.
Stockton got his first NBA assist on November 26 1984 and his 1000th assist on April 5 1986.During the 1987-1988 season he made 1128 assists setting a record for most assists in one season.Isiah Thomas had previously held the record with 1123 assists.On February 1 1995 Stockton shattered the NBA record for career assists9921which had belonged to Magic Johnson.
Stockton earned a reputation as hard-working consistent and the ultimate team player.During his 19 seasons with the Jazz he and forward Karl Malone led the team to the playoffs every year although they never won the championship.Stockton was also known for wearing short basketball shorts throughout his career even when most players began sporting a longer baggier style in the 1990s.In addition to Stocktons 10 All-Star game appearances he played on the U.S.
mens Olympic basketball teams that won gold in 1992 in Barcelona and 1996 in Atlanta.When Stockton retired from the NBA in May 2003 he was known as one of the greatest point guards in the history of basketball and was the all-time leader in assists with 15806 a record he still holds.He had 19711 career points and led the league in career steals with a total of 3265.In November 2004 the Utah Jazz retired Stocktons jerseynumber 12.
