It’s been nine years since Stephen Jackson retired from professional basketball. But many stories from his playing days are still yet to be discovered by fans. Growing up, Stephen Jackson had immense potential as a basketball player. But certain non-athletic factors derailed his hopes of playing basketball before the Phoenix Suns gave him a chance.

It’s often a life-changing moment for most players to get their first big paycheck from the NBA. For Stephen Jackson, his did not even last a whole day.

Stephen Jackson’s mom was not happy

Showtime Basketball recently posted a clip on X from their upcoming podcast episode with Mike Bibby. During their conversation, Matt Barnes brought out an old memory of Stephen Jackson getting his first check from the NBA, which was for $25,000.

Bibby was still in university at the time, and the Phoenix Suns drafted Jackson. Jackson went into the bank while Mike Bibby, his sister, and Jackson’s brother waited in the car.

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Once Jackson got back, he immediately counted the money and decided to go straight to the mall. Bibby revealed that Jackson spent all the money as soon as they got there. Jackson confirmed this.

Jackson then said, “Every. Dime. In the mall. Probably had about $100 or $200 left… Everything I get, I want one for all of them too. We tore the mall down and we got cursed out as soon as we got home.”

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Jackson’s mom was mad at him and Bibby, and this was the last time his mom ever let him have a check, and she handled his money after that. Jackson has won a championship in the NBA but he has revealed that he would always pick money over winning a championship.

Mike Bibby’s mom helped Jackson’s NBA dreams

Stephen Jackson has known Mike Biby from a young age, as he is a family friend of the Jacksons. Both Bibby and Jackson were born in 1978. In 1997, both of them were committed to playing for the University of Arizona. However, because of Jackson’s low grades, he was considered academically ineligible to play. Jackson went to a community college for one semester but did not play basketball there. But his life changed after that.

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Mike’s mom took Stephen Jackson to play a pick-up game of basketball at the Phoenix Suns arena. She saw the potential in him and made the team have a workout session with Jackson. The team later drafted him in 1997.

What do you think of Stephen Jackson spending all his money in one day? Let us know in the comments!