“John Stockton would come in a minivan, pop the kids out, come in, & bust us up” Playing in the playoffs just once was enough for Chris Webber to form this opinion about his on-court rival. One of the biggest names of the Utah Jazz during the mid-80s and ’90s, John Stockton created an identity during a time when Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and so many more names were very relevant. Not only was he a 10x All-Star, but he also led the league in assists for a recording-breaking 9 consecutive seasons, along with holding the single-season record for assists with his 1,164.

21 years after his retirement, another Stockton now continues making waves in the basketball world. While one can count his NBA experience on just the fingers of one hand, David Stockton has spent the 10 years of his professional career playing for 13 different teams, some located in the NBA G League, and others being part of clubs located in Germany, Puerto Rico, and other places. Recently, David is back in the headlines after signing up with the Valley Suns, as per Keith Smith, an affiliate of the Phoenix Suns.

It has also caused some people to question: is there a family bond between the G League player and the NBA legend? Therefore, without any further ado, let us look into their relationship.

Are David and John Stockton related?

David Stockton just so happens to be John Stockton’s SON! In a sports world where players like Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, etc had chosen to follow in their father’s footsteps, David also chose to create a name for himself, though with not as much success as one would have expected.

Born in 1991, David grew up living alongside his parents and 5 siblings, which consisted of 2 elder brothers, one younger, and 2 sisters. Today, each of John’s children has made a mark in the sports world, with Houston Stockton playing college football while the rest followed the hoops!

With the Jazz making it to the playoffs every year when John was a player, David would often get the chance to see his father in action. Having returned to the arena a couple of years ago as a player, he recalled how- “The most familiar faces are the security guards at the arena during the games, because they’re all the same people who were there when I was a kid.” There could have been nothing more influential than seeing your own father in action, allowing David to pick up the ball himself from quite a young age.

How has David Stockton fared in his professional career?

During his senior year at the Gonzaga Preparatory School in his birthplace of Spokane, David made waves after averaging 12.4 points in 20 games. He also served as the quarterback on the school’s football team. When a decision had to be finally made about which sport would be his future, the young player did not hesitate in his choice.

Soon, his stats and skill set allowed him to earn a spot on Gonzaga University’s basketball team. However, he only averaged 4.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists over 138 games. While his shooting percentages were commendable with 42.4% field goals, 30.6% from 3, and 70% from the free-throw line, the attempts were not as high. Stockton Jr.’s career did not have a smooth start. He went undrafted in 2014 but managed to join the Suns for the Summer League. He signed with the Wizards later on but was waived before the regular season. One team picked him up during the 2014 Development League Draft but ended up trading him the very next day.

Eventually, David earned a spot with the Kings after signing a 10-day contract with the franchise. Appearing in only 3 games, he averaged 2.7 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Not receiving another contract, he spent the next 3 years alternating between his old franchise, Reno Bighorns, the Cedevita Zagreb club in Croatia, the New Zealand Breakers in Auckland, and again the Bighorns.

2018 was a pivotal moment for David, as he signed another 10-day NBA contract but with the Utah Jazz! Finally, he got to represent the team to whom his father devoted his 19-year career, who retired John’s jersey and even built a statue outside the Delta Center. The NBA legend himself would return to the arena to cheer on his son. Unfortunately, David’s stint with the Jazz was no better than the one with the Kings, as he only averaged 3.3 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists over the 3 games.

David Stockton’s contract with the Valley Suns

With the Valley Suns, David now has a chance to redefine himself at 33. According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, John Stockton’s son has signed with the G League franchise under an Exhibit 10 contract. His ‘Returning Player rights’ remain intact even after the trade. This means that by spending another 60 days with the G League club, he can be eligible for a bonus worth $77,500. While the details of his annual pay haven’t been revealed, it will certainly be less than the $1.8 million he made with the Pacers in 2022. Despite not being able to garner as much fame as his father, David Stockton continues to stay in the game and put his passion for basketball to the test.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.