Karl Malone

The Mailman delivers every season.

Karl Anthony Malone (born July 24, 1963), nicknamed "the Mailman", is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz, and in his last season, the Los Angeles Lakers. During his tenure with the Jazz, he formed a formidable duo with his teammate John Stockton and together they led the team to two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998, losing both times to the Chicago Bulls. Malone's 36,928 career points scored rank third all-time in NBA history and he holds the records for most free throws made and attempted, in addition to being tied for the second-most first-team All-NBA selections with Kobe Bryant (11), both behind LeBron James (13).

Quick Facts

Born: 24 July 1963
Birthplace: Summerfield, Louisiana, U.S.
High school: Summerfield (Summerfield, Louisiana)
College: Louisiana Tech (1982–1985)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 13
Drafted by: Utah Jazz
Career number: 32, 11

Lore & Background

Malone played college basketball for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. In his three seasons, he helped the Bulldogs to their first NCAA tournament in 1984 and to first place in the Southland Conference in 1985. The Utah Jazz selected him in the first round of the 1985 NBA draft with the 13th overall pick. Malone appeared in the playoffs every season in his career, including the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 with the Jazz. He played his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he played his third Finals in 2004. Malone also competed with the United States national team in the Summer Olympic Games of 1992 and 1996; in both years he won gold medals. In 1996, as part of the NBA's 50th Anniversary, Malone was honored as one of the 50 greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team. In October 2021, Malone was again honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. After retiring from the NBA, Malone joined the staff of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in 2007 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 twice – for his individual career, and as a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team. Malone is often considered one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, but his personal conduct has attracted criticism following revelations that, while attending college at Louisiana Tech, he impregnated a 13-year-old. No statutory rape charges were filed.

Reader's Guide

The claim that he missed the playoffs in his rookie season is false.

Did You Know?

Malone was born in Summerfield, Louisiana, the youngest of nine children.
He led his high school team to three consecutive Louisiana Class C titles from 1979 to 1981.
Malone scored a career-high 61 points in a 144–96 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 27, 1990.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Karl Malone?

Karl Anthony Malone, known universally as 'The Mailman,' is the definitive face of the Utah Jazz franchise and its all-time leading scorer. Drafted in 1985, he spent his prime years wearing jersey number 32 as a dominant power forward from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s.

How many times did Karl Malone reach the NBA Finals?

He led the Utah Jazz to two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998, though he never secured a championship ring. Despite falling short of the title, these deep runs cemented his legacy as one of the league's elite competitors.