John Stockton on his journey from Gonzaga to the NBA: 'I never thought I'd be a full-time starter'

John Stockton was convinced the Utah Jazz were going to send him home early in his career

Some NBA players realize their potential at a young age in high school. Others figure it out at some point in their college career. 

For NBA Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton, it was moments before the 1984 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-1 Spokane native thrived in his senior season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, in part because the team lost two key players to injuries. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 3.9 steals, and took home the West Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year award. Stockton ended his collegiate career as the program's all-time steals getter with 262 across four seasons, a record that still stands today.

Still, Stockton was surprised when the Utah Jazz selected him with the 16th overall pick.

"The draft came and I got drafted in the first round and I went, 'wow, I've got a chance to play in the NBA,'” Stockton said on Talking Zags.

“I was convinced [the Utah Jazz] would send me home. I had no thoughts of ever [being an] All-Star. I never thought I’d be a full-time starter."

Stockton shared his unique path to the NBA with former All-Americans Dan Dickau and Adam Morrison on a new episode of Talking Zags. (Stockton's comments on his NBA career start at the 36:46 mark of the video.)

Produced by Thomas Gallagher.

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