The Sacramento Kings didn’t have to look too far to hire a new head coach of their G League affiliate.

The club announced assistant coach and former player Bobby Jackson will take over as the Stockton Kings head coach. Sacramento decided to opt out of last year’s G League season due to the pandemic but will return to action next season.

Jackson was an assistant to Luke Walton for the past two seasons. Prior to that, he was an assistant player development coach under former bench boss Dave Joerger. Jackson is beloved in Sacramento for his contributions as a player.

He averaged 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists over six seasons with the Kings. Jackson is best known for being a part of the Sacramento teams that were the best in franchise history. Alongside players like Chris Webber and Mike Bibby, Jackson helped the team win a franchise-record 61 games during the 2001-02 season. He averaged a career-high 15.2 points the following season and was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.

“We are thrilled to have Bobby lead our G League team and continue its development towards our future,” Sacramento general manager Monte McNair said via a press release. “Bobby has been a mainstay in the Kings organization for more than two decades contributing his relentless hard work, valuable knowledge and mentorship over time.” 

Jackson has had multiple stints with the team as a scout and coach. He first joined Sacramento’s staff in 2010 as a player development coach and local scout. Jackson stayed in that role for two years before pursuing other ventures. He then returned as a college scout in 2015 and stayed in that role for three seasons.