John Stockton’s sons hope to leave Las Vegas with NBA jobs
Fans arriving at the NBA Summer League on Wednesday might have done a double take when they saw a small guard with the name Stockton on the back of his uniform trying to dunk in warmups at Cox Pavilion.
On second glance, it was easy to see that the player in question wasn’t Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton, who surely would have been wearing his patented short shorts. The Stockton lookalike in the baggy shorts was Sacramento Kings point guard David Stockton, one of John’s six children.
David’s older brother, Michael Stockton, also is competing in the summer league as — what else? — a point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Like the 5-foot-11-inch David’s three dunk attempts, he and his 6-1 brother’s efforts to carve out an NBA career have come up short. But it’s definitely not for a lack of trying, especially when the siblings square off on the hardwood.
“There hasn’t been any punches thrown in at least four or five years,” Michael, 27, said matter of factly. “But it’s still scrappy as all hell. So it’s a little rough still, but it’s fun.”
David, 25, said the siblings always have had a fierce rivalry.
“We still do,” he said. “We have issues playing against each other. Fights and what not. But we’re still great friends after all that.”
The brothers didn’t face each other in Las Vegas and actually never have professionally despite both of them spending last season in the NBA D-League — David with the Reno Bighorns and Michael with the Canton Charge.
While neither brother was drafted by the NBA, David — who like his father played at Gonzaga — signed a 10-day contract with the Kings in January 2015 and had nine assists in three NBA games. The experience inspired David, who shortly after returning to Reno tied a D-League record for assists in a game with 22.
“Being in the NBA, you know you’re capable of a certain level and your confidence is sky high,” he said. “I took advantage of that and had some of my best games after that 10-day (contract).”
Michael played four pro seasons in Germany after his college career at Westminster, an NAIA school in Salt Lake City, where his father played 19 seasons for the Utah Jazz and set NBA career records for assists (15,806) and steals (3,265). John Stockton retired in 2003, when Michael was 14 and David 12.
“We grew up watching him play,” Michael said. “That’s all I ever wanted to do as a kid.”
After his retirement, John coached all of his children, most recently as an assistant last season for the Montana State women’s basketball team, where his daughter Lindsay played.
“It’s incredible just to have that outlet any time after any game,” David said of his father. “Everything he’s told me, it makes the game easier for me.”
David was sitting at home Friday when the Toronto Raptors beat the Kings by 41 points. He received a call shortly thereafter inviting him to play for Sacramento. David — who averaged 17.9 points and 7.2 assists last season for Reno, the Kings’ D-League affiliate — has compiled 32 points, 10 assists and five steals in three games in his third summer league appearance.
“It’s a good opportunity to have them look at you further,” he said. “As a team, we struggled. I’m a little disappointed with that aspect.”
If an NBA job isn’t in the cards, David said he’ll probably play in Europe next season.
Michael, playing in his fourth summer league, also is keeping his options open. He had his best game for the Cavaliers on Wednesday, coming up with two straight steals and assists late in the first half and finishing with four points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in Cleveland’s 98-94 win over the Boston Celtics.
“Any time I can go in and kind of change the pace a little bit and bring a little energy, I’m doing my job if I do that,” he said. “Just like anybody here, we’re trying to prove that we can be on an NBA roster, that we belong in this league.”
For the record, David Stockton said he can indeed dunk. Just probably not with his brother guarding him.
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33.
