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SALT LAKE CITY -- A week from Friday, Utah Jazz Head Coach Jerry Sloan will join John Stockton, Michael Jordan and David Robinson in the class of 2009 inducted into into Basketball Hall of Fame.
As a player, Jerry Sloan was a two-time all-star and one of the most feared defenders during his decade-long career with the Chicago Bulls. And as a coach, he's won more than 1,100 games and has coached for one team longer than anyone in NBA history.
"I've gotten certainly a great deal out of coaching, more so than I'd ever dreamed I'd have," Sloan said Tuesday.
His accomplishments have earned him basketball's highest honor: enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.
"I'm just fortunate to have worked here in this organization as long as I have. You know, I just couldn't ever this happening," Sloan said.
He's humble about the honor he'll receive on Sept. 11, and is quick to give others credit for his success.
"You don't get here without a lot of help from a lot of people," Sloan said. "I've had tremendous support throughout my career with people who worked hard and played hard and tried to do the right thing."
It means a lot for Sloan to receive this honor alongside former Jazzman John Stockton, and he's more excited about Stockton's induction than his own.
"Yeah, it means a lot more to me for John than it does for myself, I'll tell you that. Because he's the one that put up all the work, showing up every day and laying it out here on the floor through practice for 19 years," Sloan said.
For more information about the 2009 Enshrinement Ceremony, CLICK HERE.
E-mail: jjensen@ksl.com
