What Happened to Stephen Jesse Jackson?

Stephen Jesse Jackson, often known as 'Captain Jack' or 'Stack Jack,' carved out a notable 14-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a versatile small forward and shooting guard. Drafted 42nd overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1997, he didn't make his NBA debut until 2000, eventually playing for numerous teams including the New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2003. He was a key member of the 'We Believe' Warriors team that upset the top-seeded Mavericks in 2007 and had his best individual seasons with the Warriors and Charlotte Bobcats, averaging a career-high 21.1 points with the latter. His career was also marked by the infamous 'Malice at the Palace' brawl in November 2004, for which he received a significant suspension.

After his final NBA season in 2013-2014 with the Los Angeles Clippers, Jackson officially announced his retirement in 2015. He made an attempt to return to the NBA in 2016, stating it was 'NBA or nothing,' but a potential opportunity with the Golden State Warriors' training camp was reportedly derailed by a premature media leak, which he discussed in July 2026.

Post-retirement, Jackson quickly transitioned into media. In October 2019, he co-launched the highly successful 'All The Smoke' podcast with fellow former NBA player Matt Barnes, where they offer unfiltered perspectives on basketball, culture, and social justice. The podcast has since expanded into 'All The Smoke Productions,' a full-service production company. He also briefly worked as a guest analyst on shows like ESPN's 'The Jump'.

Beyond sports commentary, Jackson emerged as a powerful voice for civil rights. Following the murder of his close friend George Floyd in May 2020, Jackson became a leading activist in the Black Lives Matter movement, using his platform to advocate for justice and policy reforms such as banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants. He has also helped establish scholarship funds and community programs in Floyd's name.

In the realm of professional basketball, Jackson joined the BIG3 league as a player after its inception in 2017. He later transitioned to coaching, taking over the DMV Trilogy in 2021 and leading them to back-to-back BIG3 championships in 2021 and 2022. As of May 2026, he continues to coach in the league, which has adopted a city-based model. His current public activities, as of August 28, 2026, include his ongoing podcast work, where he recently sparked debate by stating that LeBron James's decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers diminishes his standing in the 'Greatest of All Time' conversation, arguing against joining an already 'championship-ready' team.