Basketball Culture
Why the Utah Jazz Retired Jerry Sloan's #1223
Jerry Sloan coached the Jazz for 23 seasons, won 1,127 games with one franchise, and built the Stockton-Malone dynasty. Here is why #1223 belongs in the rafters.
8 min
1985
Rookie Year
19
Seasons
The Mailman always delivered. Karl Malone's 36,928 career points — second all-time in NBA history at his retirement — were accumulated through relentless conditioning, unstoppable low-post footwork, and an unbreakable work ethic that defined his 18 seasons in Utah. A two-time MVP who reached the Finals in 1997 and 1998 with Stockton, Malone remains the standard for what a power forward can accomplish when talent meets preparation.
Personal Life & Family
Jerry Sloan coached the Jazz for 23 seasons, won 1,127 games with one franchise, and built the Stockton-Malone dynasty. Here is why #1223 belongs in the rafters.
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Teams
Utah Jazz
1985-2003
Los Angeles Lakers
2003-2004
Partner
Kay Kinsey (married 1990)
Children (1)
Off the Court
Karl Malone Foundation for Kids
Active in Louisiana community development
Did You Know?
His nickname 'The Mailman' came from a college teammate who said 'Karl delivers' — a reference that became one of the most famous nicknames in sports.
He is the only player in NBA history to score 2,000+ points in 11 different seasons.
Malone and Stockton stayed together for 18 seasons — a partnership so loyal that it became the definition of basketball brotherhood.
His only championship run came in 2004 with the LA Lakers at age 40, but a knee injury ended that Shaq-Kobe-Malone-Payton season prematurely.
Career Honors
Frank Layden drafted Stockton, built the Jazz culture in Utah, and laid the foundation for the Stockton-Malone dynasty. Here is why coach #1 belongs in the rafters.
Karl Malone scored 36,928 career points, won two MVPs, and played 18 seasons for one team running the greatest pick-and-roll in history. Here is why #32 belongs in the rafters.
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