| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Karl Anthony Malone |
| Birthday: | July 24, 1963 (age 62 years), Born in Summerfield, Louisiana |
| Height: | 6'9" (206 cm) |
| Education: | Summerfield High School (Diploma) Louisiana Tech University (Dropped Out) |
Overview
Karl Anthony Malone is an American former professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, who spent 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz, where he formed a legendary pick-and-roll partnership with John Stockton, earned two NBA Most Valuable Player awards, 14 All-Star selections, and retired as the league’s second all-time leading scorer, in addition to winning two Olympic gold medals with the “Dream Team.”
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Early Life and Collegiate Career
Karl Anthony Malone was born on July 24, 1963, in Summerfield, Louisiana. He was the youngest of nine children raised by his single mother, Shirley. His father, Shedrick Hay, was married to another woman and committed suicide when Karl Anthony Malone was 14. Growing up on a farm, his childhood involved chopping trees, hunting, and fishing. He attended Summerfield High School, where he led the basketball team to three consecutive Louisiana Class C titles from 1979 to 1981.
After high school, he enrolled at Louisiana Tech University. Due to low grades, he was ineligible to play for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball team his freshman year. He joined the team in his second year and, in his three seasons, averaged 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. In the 1984–85 season, he led the Bulldogs to a 29–3 record, the top of the Southland Conference, and the university’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament, where they reached the Sweet 16.
NBA Career with the Utah Jazz
In the 1985 NBA draft, the Utah Jazz selected Karl Anthony Malone with the 13th overall pick. In his first season, he averaged 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds, earning a spot on the 1986 NBA All-Rookie Team. His partnership with point guard John Stockton, who was drafted by the Jazz the year before, developed into one of the most effective guard-forward combinations in NBA history. Known for their mastery of the pick-and-roll, the duo played a record 1,412 regular-season games together.
By the 1987–88 season, Karl Anthony Malone had become the cornerstone of the Jazz’s offense, earning his first of 14 consecutive All-Star selections. He was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1989 and co-MVP with Stockton in 1993. A durable and powerful player, he was widely recognized for his intense workout regimen and rarely missed games.
Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Karl Anthony Malone consistently put up impressive numbers. He averaged over 20 points per game in 17 of his 18 seasons with the Jazz. His most statistically dominant season came in 1989-90 when he averaged 31.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
Peak and NBA Finals Appearances
During the 1996–97 season, Karl Anthony Malone averaged 27.4 points per game and led the Jazz to a franchise-best 64–18 record. He received his first of two NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards that season. The Jazz went on to win the Western Conference championship, reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls.
The following season, the Jazz again reached the NBA Finals and once more faced the Chicago Bulls, with the same result. In the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, Karl Anthony Malone was awarded his second MVP trophy. He remained a dominant force in his later years with Utah, maintaining high scoring averages.
Final Season and Retirement
After the 2002–03 season and the retirement of John Stockton, Karl Anthony Malone became a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in pursuit of an NBA championship. His final season was plagued by a knee injury, though he did reach the NBA Finals for a third time, with the Lakers losing to the Detroit Pistons.
On February 13, 2005, Karl Anthony Malone officially announced his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons. At the time of his retirement, he was second on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 36,928 points. He also holds the league records for most free throws made and attempted. The Utah Jazz retired his No. 32 jersey in 2006 and honored him with a bronze statue outside their arena, alongside one of John Stockton.
Legacy and Personal Life
Karl Anthony Malone is regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in the history of the NBA. He was a 14-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team 11 times. He also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the United States men’s basketball team in 1992 (the “Dream Team”) and 1996. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice in 2010, for his individual career and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team. He was also named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams.
Post-retirement, Karl Anthony Malone has been involved in various business ventures, including car dealerships and a timber hauling company. He has also served as a coach for Louisiana Tech’s basketball program and a big man coach for the Utah Jazz.
He married Kay Kinsey, a former Miss Idaho USA pageant winner, in 1990. They have four children together. One of his daughters, Cheryl Ford, had a successful career in the WNBA. His son, K.J., played football at LSU. Karl Anthony Malone has also fathered other children, including former NFL player Demetrius Bell.