Ex-NBA Player, Coach Says BYU’s Alex Barcello Reminds Him Of Utah Jazz Great John Stockton

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former NBA player and coach Avery Johnson said that BYU guard Alex Barcello reminds him of Utah Jazz legend John Stockton.

Johnson drew comparisons between Barcello and Stockton prior to BYU’s game against the Portland Pilots on Thursday, January 21.

“A really good looking player,” the former NBA champion said of Barcello. “He reminds me of hall of famer John Stockton, a guy that I competed against for years in Utah.”

Before tip-off, Avery Johnson said that @BYUbasketball guard @AlexBarcello23 reminded him of @utahjazz great John Stockton. #BYU #GoCougs #BYUHoops @kslsports

🎥: @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/ctxJK7kNVJ

— Kyle Ireland 😷 (@kyleireland) January 22, 2021

“He’s just clever. He’s tough. He’s consistent,” Johnson added. “He’s just someone that the coaching staff can always count on.”

This season, Barcello is averaging 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.

He is shooting 56.3 percent from the field, including 56.4 percent from beyond the arc.

#BYU’s Alex Barcello hits a corner shot to put the Cougars up by 4 with 25.2 remaining.#AggiesAllTheWay #BYUhoops #BeehiveClassic pic.twitter.com/71AOaTjiOY

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2019

Obviously, the BYU guard is far off from the career that Stockton compiled but some of their statistics are similar.

Alex Barcello is serving up some dimes for @BYUbasketball. pic.twitter.com/pH6UJsRFmQ

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) February 21, 2020

Before his NBA career, like Barcello, Stockton played in the West Coast Conference. He played for the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Stockton finished his 19-year career averaging 13.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per contest. He shot 54.1 percent overall and 38.4 percent from three.

The Jazz legend’s resume includes the following:

• 10-time NBA All-Star
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1993)
• Two-time All-NBA First Team
• Nine-time NBA assists leader
• Two-time NBA steals leader
• NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals
• WCC Player of the Year (1984)

23 years ago, John Stockton drained a buzzer-beating three to send the Jazz to the NBA Finals 💦 pic.twitter.com/meLOhW3xJF

— ESPN (@espn) May 29, 2020

About Avery Johnson

Before his time as a professional player, Johnson was the NCAA’s season assists leader from 1987-88.

Johnson played in the NBA from 1988-2004.

During his time in the league, he won an NBA title as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

As his playing career, Johnson coached the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets.

Following his time in the league, he coached college basketball at Alabama from 2015-19.

BYU’s game against Portland is broadcast on CBS Sports Network.