Karl Malone facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Karl Malone

Malone in 2011
Personal information
Born	(1963-07-24) July 24, 1963 (age 61) Summerfield, Louisiana, U.S.
High school	Summerfield (Summerfield, Louisiana)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	259 lb (117 kg)
Career information
College	Louisiana Tech (1982–1985)
NBA Draft	1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th overall
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Pro career	1985–2004
Coaching career	2007–2011
Career history
As player:
1985–2003	Utah Jazz
2003–2004	Los Angeles Lakers
As coach:
2007–2011	Louisiana Tech (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
2× NBA Most Valuable Player (1997, 1999) 14× NBA All-Star (1988–1998, 2000–2002) 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1989, 1993) 11× All-NBA First Team (1989–1999) 2× All-NBA Second Team (1988, 2000) All-NBA Third Team (2001) 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1997–1999) NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1988) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1986) NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th) No. 32 retired by Utah Jazz Second-team All-American – NABC (1985) Southland Player of the Year (1983) 3× First-team All-Southland (1983–1985) No. 32 retired by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Career NBA statistics
Points	36,928 (25.0 ppg)
Rebounds	14,968 (10.1 rpg)
Assists	5,238 (3.6 apg)
Medals Men's Basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1992 Barcelona National team Gold 1996 Atlanta National team FIBA Americas Championship Gold 1992 Portland Men's basketball

Karl Anthony Malone (born July 24, 1963) is a famous American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). People called him "the Mailman" because he always delivered great performances. Many think he is one of the best power forwards in NBA history.

Malone played most of his career, 18 seasons, with the Utah Jazz. He formed a super team with his teammate John Stockton. Karl Malone won the NBA Most Valuable Player award twice. He was also chosen for the NBA All-Star Game 14 times. He is third on the all-time NBA scoring list. Only LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have scored more points.

Before joining the NBA, Malone played college basketball at Louisiana Tech University. He helped his college team, the Bulldogs, reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in 1984. The Utah Jazz picked him in the first round of the 1985 NBA draft. Malone made it to the playoffs every year of his career. He played in the NBA Finals twice with the Jazz. He also played his last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. With them, he reached the Finals a third time in 2004.

Malone also played for the United States men's national basketball team. He won gold medals at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1996, the NBA named him one of the 50 greatest players of all time. In 2021, he was again honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. After retiring, Malone became an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Early Life and College Basketball Journey

Karl Malone was born in Summerfield, Louisiana. He was the youngest of nine children. His mother, Shirley, raised him on a farm. His father died when Karl was 14 years old. As a child, Karl worked on the farm. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He went to Summerfield High School. There, he led his basketball team to win three state titles in a row.

Malone decided to go to Louisiana Tech University. It was closer to his home. He joined the basketball team in his second year. This was because his grades were too low at first. In his second season, he averaged 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. In 1985, Louisiana Tech finished with a great record of 29 wins and 3 losses. They also reached the NCAA tournament for the first time. Malone was chosen for the All-Southland team in all three of his seasons.

Professional Basketball Career

Playing for the Utah Jazz (1985–2003)

Starting His NBA Career (1985–1987)

The Utah Jazz picked Karl Malone as the 13th player in the 1985 NBA draft. Many people later said he should have been picked much earlier. In his first season, Malone averaged 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds. He was named to the 1986 NBA All-Rookie Team. The Jazz made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

In his second season, Malone became the Jazz's main scorer. He averaged 21.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. He often led the team in scoring.

Becoming an All-Star and Team Leader (1987–1996)

By the 1987–88 season, Malone was a key player for the Jazz. He made his first NBA All-Star Game in 1988. He averaged 27.1 points per game that season. The Jazz reached the second round of the playoffs. They lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in a tough seven-game series. Malone scored 31 points and had 15 rebounds in the final game.

Malone playing basketball around 1988

In 1988, Malone signed a 10-year contract. He averaged 29.1 points in the 1988–89 season, second only to Michael Jordan. He also won his first All-Star MVP award in 1989. The Jazz made the playoffs but were swept in the first round. This was his first time being named to the All-NBA First Team.

In the 1989–90 season, Malone scored a career-high 61 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 31 points and 11.1 rebounds that season. He was again second in scoring behind Michael Jordan. The Jazz lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Malone continued to play at a high level. He made the All-NBA First Team for four years in a row. In 1991, he elbowed Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons. Malone was suspended for one game and fined $10,000. In 1992, the Jazz reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time. They lost to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Malone kept putting up great numbers throughout the 1990s. In 1993, he and John Stockton shared the All-Star MVP award. In 1994, Malone played in all 82 games. He helped the Jazz reach the Western Conference Finals again. They lost to the Houston Rockets, who later won the NBA championship.

In the 1994–95 season, the Jazz won 60 games for the first time. Malone reached 20,000 career points. However, the Jazz lost to the Houston Rockets again in the playoffs.

Reaching the NBA Finals (1996–1998)

Malone playing in 1997

After winning a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics, Malone led the Jazz to two NBA Finals appearances. In the 1996–97 season, he averaged 27.4 points. The Jazz had their best record ever, 64 wins and 18 losses. Malone won his first NBA Most Valuable Player award. The Jazz reached the NBA Finals to play against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. The Bulls won the series in six games.

The next season, the Jazz were strong again. Malone averaged 27 points per game. He just missed winning his second MVP award, which went to Jordan. The Jazz had the best record in the NBA, 62 wins and 20 losses. They reached the Finals for the second year in a row. Again, they faced the Chicago Bulls. The Jazz won Game 1. However, Malone struggled against the Bulls' defense. In Game 5, Malone scored 39 points, and the Jazz won.

In Game 6, the Jazz were down 3-2 in the series. Malone scored 31 points. But in the final seconds, Michael Jordan stole the ball from Malone. Jordan then made a game-winning shot. The Bulls won the game and their third straight championship.

Final Seasons with the Jazz (1998–2003)

After the 1998 Finals, Malone considered leaving the Jazz. He felt disrespected by the team owner and media. However, he decided to stay. The NBA season was shorter in 1998–99 due to a lockout. Malone won his second MVP award that season. The Jazz lost in the second round of the playoffs.

For the next few years, the Jazz were not as strong. But Malone continued to play well. In the 2002–03 season, Malone passed Wilt Chamberlain for second place on the all-time scoring list. He had 36,374 points. In 2003, John Stockton retired, and Malone became a free agent. Malone and Stockton played together for 18 seasons. They were one of the best duos in NBA history. They were known for their "pick and roll" play.

Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)

Malone playing for the Lakers

Malone played one more season in the NBA. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003. He wanted to win an NBA championship. All-Star guard Gary Payton also joined the Lakers. With Malone, Payton, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers were expected to win the title.

The Lakers started the season very well. But Malone hurt his knee in December. He missed 39 games because of the injury. Malone returned for the playoffs. The Lakers reached the NBA Finals. However, they lost to the Detroit Pistons in five games. Malone sprained his right knee in Game 3 and played injured. He missed the final game of the series. His dream of winning a championship did not come true.

Retirement from Basketball

After his season with the Lakers, Malone became a free agent. He had knee surgery in the summer of 2004. He also had some personal issues with Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Malone decided not to return to the Lakers. Other teams, like the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, were interested in him.

On February 13, 2005, Karl Malone officially announced his retirement. He had played 19 seasons in the NBA. The Utah Jazz retired his jersey number 32 on March 23, 2006. They also unveiled a bronze statue of him next to John Stockton's statue. A street in Salt Lake City was also renamed in his honor.

Olympic Basketball Career

Karl Malone played for the United States men's national basketball team in the Olympics. In 1984, he was cut from the team. But in 1992, NBA players were allowed to join. Malone and Stockton became part of the "Dream Team."

Malone won gold medals with the US team in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. In the 1996 Olympics, he averaged 8.4 points per game. In 2010, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This was for his individual career and as a member of the original Dream Team.

Coaching Basketball

On May 31, 2007, Malone became a coach at his old college, Louisiana Tech University. He was the director of basketball promotion and an assistant strength and conditioning coach. He also gave $350,000 to the university's sports department. In 2013, Malone returned to the Utah Jazz. He worked as a coach for their big players.

Player Profile and Legacy

Malone's statue outside the Delta Center in 2017

Karl Malone is known as one of the best power forwards in NBA history. His nickname, "the Mailman," showed how consistently he performed. He won two MVP awards. He was named to the NBA First Team eleven times. He was also on the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times. In 2022, The Athletic ranked him as the 16th greatest player ever.

Malone wore number 32 for the Utah Jazz. For the Los Angeles Lakers, he wore number 11. This was because number 32 was retired for Magic Johnson. Malone also wore number 11 for the Dream Team in the Olympics.

Malone played 193 playoff games without winning an NBA championship. This is the most in playoff history.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Other Activities and Businesses

Business Ventures

Karl Malone owns several businesses. He has restaurants like Teriyaki Grill and Eskamoe's Frozen Custard & More. He also owns Arby's in Ruston, Louisiana.

He owns car dealerships in Utah and Louisiana. These include Karl Malone Toyota and Karl Malone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. He also owns three Jiffy Lube stores in Utah. He is a part owner of some Burger King franchises too.

Acting Roles

Malone has appeared in movies and TV shows. He was in the 1994 film Rockwell. He also played himself and a superhero in the Static Shock cartoon. He had a small role in the 2004 movie Soul Plane. He also appeared in an episode of Brother's Keeper. Malone has a recurring skit on Jimmy Kimmel Live! called "All Alone with Karl Malone."

Professional Wrestling Appearance

Malone with Diamond Dallas Page in 1998

After the 1998 NBA Finals, Malone took part in a professional wrestling match. This was for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in July 1998. Malone teamed up with his friend, Diamond Dallas Page. They wrestled against Dennis Rodman and Hulk Hogan. Malone and DDP lost the match. The event was very popular and made a lot of money.

Personal Life and Family

Family Life

Malone married Kay Kinsey on December 24, 1990. She was the winner of the 1988 Miss Idaho USA pageant. They have four children: Kadee, Kylee, Karl Jr. ("K.J."), and Karlee. K.J. played football at LSU.

Outdoor Hobbies

Malone loves to hunt and fish. He has a summer home near the Kenai River in Alaska. In 1998, he went on a fishing trip to Alaska with his Jazz teammates.

Images for kids

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  Malone in 2011

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  Malone playing basketball around 1988

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  Malone playing in 1997

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  Malone playing for the Lakers

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  Malone's statue outside the Delta Center in 2017

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  Malone with Diamond Dallas Page in 1998

In Spanish: Karl Malone para niños