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You might remember him better from his Hall of Fame NBA career, but the guys around the Gonzaga campus these days know him better as "David's dad."
As the No. 1-seeded Bulldogs have hung around this week at Vivint Smart Home Arena, where John Stockton's No. 12 hangs from the rafters, they've certainly had an appreciation for the legendary point guard they consider a mentor and a friend.
"We see John Stockton every day," said junior guard Silas Melson. "To come into his house that he pretty much built in his playing days, it's kind of an honor."
Stockton hasn't been around his alma mater at Vivint Smart Home Arena this week. His daughter, Laura Stockton, is playing for the Zags' in the NCAA women's tournament.
But he remains a fixture around Spokane, where his son David played for the Bulldogs from 2010-14.
Gonzaga's Nigel Williams-Goss has been one of the best guards in the nation this season. And, at least in some small way, you can credit Stockton with an assist there.
"A lot of little things, a lot of things he used back in the the day that helped him against bigger guys, quicker guys. And really just talking to him about how he thought about the game, how he saw the game," Williams-Goss said when asked what he's gleaned from the legendary Jazzman. "Obviously you can't learn from anybody better than that."
Gonzaga coach Mark Few praised Stockton's involvement.
"Our guys get to see him all the time," Few said. "He's literally immersed in our school, in our program, in our community. You could not have a greater role model, a greater ambassador, but yet our guys just see a normal guy."
Like Williams-Goss, Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews has stopped for a lesson or two from Stockton as well.
"When you see him in the weight room, he'll give you all [the advice] you want," Mathews said. "He's a really down to earth, cool guy. Having him around is really nice."
Few said he works out with Stockton in the mornings.
"It's readily apparent who the younger, spry guy is," Few joked.
Stockton still suits up for pick-up games and, the Bulldogs say, the 54-year-old can still play.
"I've worked out with him, played against him," Williams-Goss said. "He's still running the team, still the floor general he was."
Sophomore guard Josh Perkins called Stockton "a huge reason" why he chose to play at Gonzaga.
"To play for the same program he played in and live in his shoes and come here and see what he built," Perkins said, "it's a small world. It's crazy."
And, for many of the Bulldogs, this tournament has been a chance to gain a greater appreciation for the legend.
"Basically he's known to our guys' as David's dad," Few said. "… But I think they see the statue on John Stockton Drive out there, and they think that's pretty cool they know that guy and can call him a friend."
Twitter: @aaronfalk