Our colleagues at the Rookie Wire recently put together a list of the best nicknames in NBA history. On this list, you can find names like The Iceman, Magic, Agent 0, Dr. J, and of course his Royal Airness, Air Jordan. A total of 101 nicknames were presented on the list with one former Oklahoma Sooner making the list. So where does ‘Mookie’ rank?
No. 60: Daron “Mookie” Blaylock
Daron Oshay Blaylock was dubbed Mookie as a child by his older sisters, and the nickname stuck. The rock group Pearl Jam originally went by the name Mookie Blaylock in homage to the crafty point guard. The band later titled its debut album “Ten” as a nod to Blaylock’s jersey number.
During his two-year run at Oklahoma, Blaylock averaged 36.6 minutes played in a total of 74 games played. In the 1987-88 season, ‘Mookie’ averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.8 steals per game. The following season his points per game average rose to 20.0, while his assists climbed to 6.7, and added 3.7 steals per game. He was named consensus second-team All-American in 1989.
Blaylock played in the NBA after being drafted 12th overall by the New Jersey Nets in the 1989 NBA draft. He would play for the Atlanta Hawks from 1992-99 and finished his career with four seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
Professional Accolades:
- 1994 NBA All-Star
- NBA All-Defensive First Team (1994,1995)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1996-99)
- NBA steals leader (1997,1998)
Career Statistics:
- 11,962 points
- 3,659 rebounds
- 5,972 assists