SI Tells Story Of John Stockton, Secret Gonzaga Pick-Up Games
Mar 30, 2021, 1:17 PM | Updated: 2:32 pm
David Stockton #11 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs poses with his father, former NBA player John Stockton, after the championship game of the West Coast Conference Basketball tournament against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Orleans Arena on March 11, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzaga won 75-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – John Stockton always made an effort to keep his private life out of the spotlight, but in a story from Sports Illustrated, the Utah Jazz legend’s weekend routine has been revealed to the public eye. It should be no surprise however that the Hall of Famer still spends time doing what made him famous, playing basketball with former Gonzaga greats.
According to the article, Stockton is the curator and keeper of a quiet, but legendary tradition among hoopers on the Spokane, Washington area, home to Gonzaga University, the former superstar’s Alma mater, and one of the powerhouses of college basketball.
The games are held Sunday mornings at The Warehouse Athletic Facility, a building Stockton purchased in the early 2000s and renovated to hold five full basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts, an indoor baseball complex, and a fitness/dance studio near the Gonzaga campus.
SI Daily Cover: What's Sunday Ball?
It's the nickname for John Stockton’s invite-only Gonzaga alumni games, and perhaps the most exclusive—and important—informal run in college hoops. https://t.co/BI2uPILRtS pic.twitter.com/u68LaJjssu
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 30, 2021
The games usually attract 25-40 participants, all of whom must receive a personal invite from the 10-time All-Star. According to the article, the hoopers usually consist of former college players from the area, including Gonzaga, Eastern Washington, or nearby Whitworth.
New invitees likely won’t make it into a game during their first few visits until Stockton gives them the nod of approval. Like most pickup games, the winning team stays on the floor while the losers rotate out.
In addition to the NBA’s all-time steals and assists leader, Gonzaga legends Adam Morrison, Robert Sacre, and current Houston Rockets center Kelly Olynyk can occasionally be found at the games. Current Gonzaga players don’t participate during the season for fear of injury.
Stockton’s kids, all of whom have played high-level basketball of one sort or another also participate.
Unfortunately, Jazz fans won’t get their chance to relive the glory days of watching Stockton on the floor. According to the article, no spectators are allowed in the gym.
