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Christie Reflects On Path to NBA

The path to the NBA does not follow the same map for everybody. Everyone forges their own unique route.

Sacramento Kings legend Doug Christie is one such person who blazed his own trail into the League.

Since he was a child, Christie experienced moments that helped spur his ambition to reach the NBA. One of those instances was when Seattle SuperSonics player Xavier McDaniel took him to watch a game, leaving a lasting impression. He also remembers being photographed and featured in the Seattle Times after receiving an autograph from Sonics legend Gus Williams during the team’s 1979 championship parade. Seeing these men inspired him.

“Those types of guys I saw around the neighborhood from time to time,” Christie said to Kozimor in a special edition of CSN SportsTalk Live. “And I was like, that is what I want to do.”

Raised in Seattle, Christie developed his skills in a basketball hotbed. He claims he wasn’t even among one of the city’s best players. But the surrounding, local talent helped Christie develop into the tenacious, energetic defender that made him into a fan favorite in Sacramento.

“That bred us in that area to really have some heart,” Christie said. “You’re really going to have to fight and scrap to make your way to the top.”

Christie’s development continued at Rainer Beach High School, a basketball powerhouse in the Seattle area. Active players from Rainer Beach include Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs and Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers. Former King Terrance Williams and three-time NBA Slam Dunk Champion Nate Robinson also claim the high school as their alma mater.

Christie made quite an impact during his years at Rainer. He remembered one particular moment where his high school coach complimented his talent mid-game.

“You guys think you’re good,” Christie said, narrating the story to Kozimor. “But out of everyone in here, there’s only one guy that might have a chance to make it into the NBA: Doug.”

Christie wasn’t recruited highly out of high school. With the help of his coach and team staff, he sent letters to a variety of colleges. Through his initiative, recruiters came calling and he had four options to choose from: University of Washington, Washington State University, Cal State Fullerton and Pepperdine.

His collegiate decision was a narrow one, choosing Pepperdine over Washington State. He made the decision to go away from home for the change of scenery in sunny Malibu.

“I was an inner-city kid and I was getting in a lot of trouble,” Christie said. “I figured to myself, I need to get away. I need to try to find my own path.”

He initially had trouble in Southern California. As an inner-city kid at a university with many rich students, Christie struggled. Being unable to play basketball his freshman year, the emotional stress was compounded. He remembers talking to his coach before going home for Christmas break.

“I walked into his office, I was crying,” Christie recalled. “I go, ‘Look coach, this isn’t for me. I can’t do this. I can’t play. The school, all these rich kids, I can’t do it.”

Christie didn’t receive the response he expected. Head Coach Tom Asbury told him it was fine if he quit, but there would be a scholarship waiting for him if he returned from Christmas break. This unexpected reaction lit a spark in Christie and when he returned to Seattle, he knew immediately he would head back to Pepperdine.

His choice to return to campus was the “best decision of all time,” he shared.

Looking back, his decision panned out correctly. At Pepperdine, he became a two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year and his success earned notice from the NBA. He was selected in the first round of the 1992 Draft by his hometown team, the Seattle SuperSonics.

“I knew that dreams can come true and it’s possible,” Christie said reflectively.

CSN’s special Sports Talk Live “The Life of Doug Christie” is a five-part video series. Part One recounts Christie’s life from Seattle to Pepperdine. The other videos cover his life through retirement. You can watch the other parts here.


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