Wire and staff reportsSACRAMENTO, Calif. ó Salisbury native Bobby Jackson is retiring from the NBA.
The 12-year veteran guard, who spent six seasons with Sacramento, made the announcement Friday night before the Kings’ preseason finale against the Utah Jazz.
Jackson averaged 9.7 points per game in his career. He was the league’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2002-03 with averages of 15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
The former University of Minnesota star played for Sacramento last season but was not re-signed in the offseason.
“It’s a tough day for me because I’m retiring from professionally playing the game I love,” he said. “But it’s also a happy day because I’m retiring on my own terms.”
Jackson spoke fondly of his mother, Sarah, who died in 2003 of cancer.
Jackson will work with the Kings as an ambassador, promoting the team in local appearances and handling some scouting.
Jackson has always been beloved in his hometown.
He is a 1992 graduate of Salisbury, where he teamed with Bobby Phillips to lead the Hornets to one of their greatest seasons. He averaged 16.4 points in a 26-2 season that saw Salisbury win the South Piedmont Conference regular campaign and tournament championships.
His path to the NBA was a tough one. He attended junior college in Nebraska and had two knee injuries before becoming Clem Haskins’ top player at Minnesota. In 1997, he led the Gophers to the Final Four and was the Big Ten Player of the Year.
He was drafted by Seattle, and was sent quickly to Denver. He made the Rookie All-Star Game.
He also played for Minnesota, Memphis and Houston before returning to Sacramento.