Standing at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), Christie played the shooting guard position. He played college basketball for Pepperdine University. After being selected with the 17th overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, Christie played for seven teams in a 15-season NBA career. He was a starter for the Sacramento Kings during the early 2000s and played for the Kings in the NBA playoffs in four consecutive years. Known for his defense, Christie made the NBA All-Defensive First Team once and made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times during his Kings tenure.
Christie became an assistant coach for the Kings in 2021.
Early life and college career
Born in Seattle, Washington, Christie is the son of John Malone and Norma Christie. He was raised in Seattle by his mother. Christie is biracial; his father is black and his mother is white.[1]
Christie played basketball in eighth grade at Cascade Middle School and for Mark Morris High School during his freshman and sophomore years. He had moved to Longview to live with his father, former Mark Morris track star John Malone.[2] He later attended Seattle's Rainier Beach High School. In his senior year at Rainier Beach High, Christie led the school's varsity boys' basketball team to their first-ever Washington state championship. He also was named the high school player of the year in the state of Washington.[3]
Christie graduated from Rainier Beach High in 1988.[3] He then went on to Pepperdine University, studying sociology.[2] Christie led Pepperdine to the NCAA Tournament twice,[3] averaging over 19 points per game during his final two seasons. He was twice named WCC Player of the Year.[citation needed]
Professional career
Los Angeles Lakers (1993–1994)
Christie was selected 17th overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.[4] However, Christie and the Sonics failed to agree upon a contract,[5] and he did not play for the team.[6] On February 22, 1993, Christie and Benoit Benjamin were traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Sam Perkins.[5][7] The Lakers signed Christie several days after acquiring him,[8] and he made his NBA debut on March 12, 1993. In his first Lakers game, Christie's jersey bore the incorrect name "Chrisite".[9] He was used sparingly in Los Angeles his rookie year.[10]
Christie's usage went up his second season, as he started 34 of 65 games and averaged 10.3 points per game. He played with Vlade Divac in LA, who he would eventually team with in Sacramento to challenge the Lakers in multiple playoff series.
New York Knicks (1994–1996)
Just prior to the start of the 1994-95 season, the Lakers traded Christie to the New York Knicks for two second-round draft picks.[11][12][13] Christie only played twelve games that season because of an ankle injury.[14][15]
Christie competed in the 1996 Slam Dunk Contest. Despite this, he was unable to crack new coach Don Nelson's rotation for the 1995-96 season, and requested a trade.[16][17]
Toronto Raptors (1996–2000)
On February 18, 1996, Christie was traded alongside Herb Williams to the expansion Toronto Raptors in exchange for Willie Anderson and Victor Alexander[18][19][20][21] (Williams would be released by Toronto and re-signed by the Knicks following the trade).[22] On March 24, 1996, Christie helped the 17-49 Raptors defeat the 60-9 record-breaking Chicago Bulls[23] in one of the bigger upsets in NBA history.[24] In Jordan’s 12 games against the Raptors from 1996-98, he averaged 24.7 points on 47.4 percent shooting - both numbers were below his averages against the rest of the league over that time.[25] and credited to Christie's defense.[26]
In his first full season in Toronto, Christie started 81 games, averaging 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, finishing second in Most Improved Player of the Year voting.[27][28][29]
The following season, he averaged 16.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. In the 1999-00 season, alongside Tracy McGrady, Charles Oakley and Vince Carter, Christie helped Toronto to their first ever playoff appearance.
Sacramento Kings (2000–2005)
In August 2000, Christie was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forward Corliss Williamson.[30] In Sacramento, Christie became the Kings' popular starting shooting guard and developed into one of the league's best defenders.[citation needed] While in Sacramento, Christie was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team once and to the All-Defensive Second Team three times.[31] During the 2000-2001 season, Sports Illustrated dubbed the Kings' starting five of Jason Williams, Peja Stojaković, Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, and Christie "The Greatest Show on Court".[32] Christie's defense helped the Kings rise in the NBA ranks, becoming a perennial playoff contender and eventually a championship contender.[citation needed] The Kings led the league in wins in the 2001–02 NBA season[33] and made the playoffs in each of Christie's seasons with the team.[31]
Orlando Magic (2005)
In 2005, Christie was traded to the Orlando Magic for Cuttino Mobley and Michael Bradley. He left the Kings as second all-time in total steals. He was unhappy about the trade and played only a few games before being sidelined with bone spurs. Following Christie's ankle surgery, the Orlando Magic released him on August 11, 2005 under the new NBA collective bargaining agreement one-time amnesty clause.
Dallas Mavericks (2005)
Christie signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks shortly thereafter.
Due to a slow healing surgically repaired left ankle, Christie was waived by the Dallas Mavericks on November 25, 2005, signaling his impending retirement. He had left the team the week prior to have his surgically repaired left ankle examined by his personal physician.[34] In seven games with the Dallas Mavericks, Christie averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 assists.
Los Angeles Clippers (2007)
In January 2007, Christie attempted a comeback when he signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.[35] After the All-Star break, Christie, on his second 10-day contract, decided to part ways with the team.[36]
Coaching and other endeavors
In 2014, Christie was named to a team assembled by Dennis Rodman as part of his "basketball diplomacy" effort in North Korea with the job of playing an exhibition match against the North Korean Senior National Team to celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong-un.[37]
Christie began working as a color commentator for Sacramento Kings games on NBC Sports in the 2018-2019 season. He left NBC to become an assistant coach for the Kings in August 2021.[38]
Personal life
Jackie Christie in 2019
Christie and his wife Jackie, have three children. In 2002, The New York Times published a feature story in which the Christies spoke about their marriage and committed lifestyle. As of 2002, the Christies renewed their wedding vows every year on their wedding anniversary.[1]
In 2006, BET's BET J[2] launched the reality showThe Christies Committed, featuring the Christies' struggle to balance family and celebrity life.[40][41]
