Bobby Jackson looks to be community-oriented in new head coaching role with Stockton Kings

STOCKTON – Stockton Kings head coach Bobby Jackson hasn't coached a game here yet but said he gained a good feel for the city's passion for basketball while driving his daughter to AAU basketball practice games in Stockton.

Jackson said he hopes the team can build off of that fervor and be a staple in the city that provides positive impacts on the Stockton community. 

"I think that is what we are really excited about is the growth in Stockton," Jackson said. "Building a great relationship with the community. Me, Paul (Johnson), Monty (McNair) and Luke (Walton) coming up with a great plan and being able to assist that community and be hands-on."

Last week Jackson, a longtime player and coach with the Sacramento Kings, was announced as the new head coach of its G League affiliate. For Stockton Kings General Manager Paul Johnson, it was Jackson's experience that put him high on the list to replace former coach Tyrone Ellis.

More:Former Sacramento Kings player Bobby Jackson named new head coach of Stockton Kings

"He is just a great guy. I've gotten to know him and it has been really good just to work with him so far," Johnson said of Jackson. "Impeccable work ethic, character. He has experience both in the front office, most recently on Luke (Walton’s) staff and with a focus on player development, so he is a great fit for the position."

Jackson played six seasons during his 13-year NBA career for the Kings, initially from 2000-05, then returned in 2008-09, when he averaged more than 10 points a game and also won the 2003 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. As a coach, he spent the past two seasons under Walton's staff as an assistant and player development coach, which he hopes creates a natural transition into the G League. 

"I kind of want to mirror what the Sacramento Kings are doing," Jackson said of his vision for the Stockton Kings. "Having a great philosophy, building a family environment when guys come in and understand we are going to respect each other in the workplace. We are going to work hard. We are going to communicate at a high level. We are going to be tough on the floor. We are going to play with pace. So there is a lot of things that we are going to do, which is going to require a lot of effort on both sides, whether it is the coaching side or the player side."

Johnson, who begins his second year as general manager of the Stockton Kings, emphasized objectives of player and staff development, continuity with the NBA Kings as well as impacting the Stockton community, which Jackson fully supported. 

"Like Paul said, we want to be very impactful in the community, and that is something I have done my whole life, my whole career being in Sacramento being able to give back," Jackson said. "So I think we will find different avenues to give back to the community of Stockton and make them feel like they are a part of us, just like we want to be a part of them just as well." 

In his new role, Jackson is in an unusual position, taking over a team that hasn't played a game in over a year.  

More:Stockton Kings win in final game before G-League suspends season

The Kings' final game in Stockton Arena, on March 11, 2020, was the team's last before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the remainder of the season. The Kings then opted against sending its G League players to the 2020 NBA G League bubble in Orlando given health and safety protocols, as well as roster availability in Orlando. 

But after more than a year away, Johnson said the team plans to return to Stockton and is ready to go for the 2021 season. 

"It has been a great place to develop players, develop staff and that is how we are going to use it," he said. "Just winning habits and making sure we have a winning environment for our players to grow."

Record reporter Justin Frommer covers prep and college sports. He can be reached at or jfrommer@recordnet.com or on Twitter @JustinbFrommer. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.