Stu Jackson is a former basketball player, coach, and executive who had a successful career in the sport. He played college basketball at the University of Oregon and was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1971. He played for the Knicks for two seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
After his playing career ended, Jackson became a coach and worked as an assistant for several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, Vancouver Grizzlies, and Seattle SuperSonics. He also served as the head coach of the Grizzlies for two seasons.
In 1994, Jackson was hired as the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the NBA. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the league's rules and regulations, as well as player discipline and the NBA draft. He also played a key role in the development of the WNBA, which launched in 1997.
In 1996, Jackson left the NBA to become the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team. He led the team to the NCAA tournament in his first season and was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year. However, he left the Badgers after just two seasons to return to the NBA.
Jackson was hired as the General Manager of the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1999. He was responsible for building the team's roster and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the franchise. However, the Grizzlies struggled during his tenure and he was fired in 2002.
After leaving the Grizzlies, Jackson worked as a television analyst for ESPN and the NBA. He also served as the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the NBA from 2007 to 2013.
Throughout his career, Jackson was known for his knowledge of the game and his ability to develop young talent. He played a key role in the growth of the WNBA and was instrumental in the development of several NBA stars, including Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.
Overall, Stu Jackson had a successful career in basketball as a player, coach, and executive. He made significant contributions to the sport and helped shape the NBA and WNBA into what they are today.
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