Legendary Moments in NBA History

Legendary Moments: John Stockton becomes first to record back-to-back 1,000-assist seasons

* Legends Profile: John Stockton

On April 7, 1989, Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton made history as he became the first (and only) player in NBA history to record 1,000-plus assists in back-to-back seasons.

Stockton recorded 11 assists in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers to cross the 1,000-assist mark. He finished the 1988-89 season with 1,118 assists, one season after breaking Isiah Thomas’ single-season record for assists with 1,128.

Selected by Utah with the 16th pick of the 1984 NBA Draft, Stockton led the NBA in assists for nine straight seasons from 1987 to 1996 and averaged 13.1 points, 10.5 assists and 2.2 steals during his legendary 19-year career.

He was a 10-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA First Team member, six-time All-NBA Second Team member, three-time All-NBA Third Team member, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and the MVP of the 1993 All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.

Stockton remains the NBA’s all-time leader in assists with 15,806 and steals with 3,265.

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