Mark Jackson is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 17 seasons. He was born on April 1, 1965, in Brooklyn, New York, and attended St. John's University, where he played college basketball.
Jackson was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft. He played for the Knicks for five seasons, from 1987 to 1992, and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1988. He was known for his excellent passing skills and was among the league leaders in assists during his time with the Knicks.
In 1992, Jackson was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played for one season before being traded to the Indiana Pacers. He played for the Pacers for six seasons, from 1994 to 2000, and was named an NBA All-Star in 1999. He helped lead the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
After leaving the Pacers, Jackson played for several other teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets. He retired from the NBA in 2004 with career averages of 9.6 points, 8.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Following his playing career, Jackson became a basketball commentator and analyst for ESPN and ABC. He also served as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors from 2011 to 2014, leading the team to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as coach.
Jackson is known for his strong Christian faith and has been involved in various charitable and community organizations throughout his career. He is also known for his outspokenness and has been involved in several controversies, including a dispute with former Warriors player Stephen Curry over his religious beliefs.
Overall, Mark Jackson had a successful career as a professional basketball player and has continued to be involved in the sport as a commentator and coach. He is remembered for his excellent passing skills and leadership on the court, as well as his strong Christian faith and charitable work off the court.
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