Isaiah Collier turned a road game into a historic coronation, etching his name into Utah Jazz history under the bright lights of an opposing arena.
The NBA's X post captured the moment: Collier, rocking the Jazz's sleek purple No. 13 jersey, unleashed a primal scream as he notched his 416th assist of the season, surpassing John Stockton's 40-year-old franchise rookie record of 415 set in 1984-1985.
The Charlotte Hornets crowd, although not too big in size after yet another dreadful season out of the franchise, couldn't help but witness the birth of a new Jazz legend.
Collier's ascent has been a masterclass in poise and playmaking. The rookie is averaging 8.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds across 68 games, thriving as a starter amid Jordan Clarkson's absence.
This wasn't just a personal triumph; it was a victory that the entire team can feed off of into next season. For a team that's had minimal bright spots this year, perhaps Collier making history can help turn the tides.
Stockton's shadow looms large with his all-time NBA assists record of 15,806, a number that Collier still trails by a whopping 15,387 assists. Nonetheless, the night belonged to the rookie.
Collier's 419 assists rank 57th among all NBA rookies ever, a rare feat for a Jazz point guard. Collier didn't just break a record -- he ignited hope for a franchise craving a new era.
With the Jazz completely out of the playoff picture, they can hang their heads high on the brilliant rookie season Collier has produced. The franchise has found themselves a gem in the former USC Trojan, and their future looks dazzling because of it.
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This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM.