Daron Oshay "Mookie" Blaylock was a professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons. He was born on March 20, 1967, in Garland, Texas, and grew up in Dallas. Blaylock attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played college basketball for the Sooners.
Blaylock was selected by the New Jersey Nets with the 12th overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft. He played for the Nets for three seasons before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1992. Blaylock played for the Hawks for seven seasons and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice during his time with the team.
In 1999, Blaylock was traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he played for one season before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. He played for the Mavericks for one season before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Blaylock played for the Trail Blazers for one season before being traded back to the Warriors, where he finished his NBA career in 2002.
Blaylock was known for his defensive skills and was one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA during his career. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times. Blaylock was also a solid offensive player, averaging 13.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game during his career.
Blaylock was a three-time NBA All-Star, earning the honor in 1994, 1995, and 1996. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1990 and was a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Off the court, Blaylock was involved in a serious car accident in May 2013 that left him in critical condition. The accident occurred when Blaylock's SUV crossed the center line and collided with another vehicle. Blaylock was charged with vehicular homicide in connection with the accident, as the driver of the other vehicle died from her injuries. Blaylock later pleaded guilty to charges of DUI and reckless driving and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with seven years to be served in prison and the remaining eight years on probation.
Despite the tragic end to his career and personal life, Blaylock remains a respected figure in the NBA community for his contributions to the game. He was a tenacious defender and a skilled playmaker who helped lead his teams to success during his 13-year career in the league.
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