The band Pearl Jam named itself after which NBA player?

Pearl Jam is a rock band that has been popular for more than three decades. While many music fans are aware of the band, a lot of them don't know that they are named after an NBA player.

The band was formed in 1990 and is still active. They were initially known as Mookie Blaylock, a reference to an NBA player who was drafted in 1989. The band changed its name just a year after forming.

The band had several connections to Blaylock, who spent 13 seasons in the professional basketball league. Besides being named after the player, the band's first album was called "Ten," a reference to Blaylock's jersey number.

At the time, Blaylock was a rookie who was drafted by the New Jersey Nets with the 12th overall pick. The 6-footer was a decent playmaker and perimeter defender, who averaged 10.1 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in his rookie campaign.

Mookie Blaylock played 13 seasons in the NBA (Image via Getty Images)

When the band was recording its first song, it had no name. Coincidentally, the members saw a Blaylock basketball card and decided to name the band after him.

"Mookie was cool about it, too—he didn’t sue us," Jeff Ament, a member of Pearl Jam, said. "I actually got to meet him later on and shoot around a little bit. We also made a Pearl Jam T-shirt with a picture of him on it. I guess we owe Mookie a lot.”

You may be interested in reading: 5 NBA players who didn't deserve to win the MVP award featuring Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, and more

Pearl Jam did not intend to use the name for a long time, only for the first tour. The band changed its name in March 1991, shortly after signing with Epic Records.

---

Mookie Blaylock's NBA career

Blaylock had a respectable 13-year NBA career. He was named an All-Star in 1994 and led the league in steals per game for two straight seasons. Only Alvin Robertson, Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, and Chris Paul have achieved this impressive feat apart from him.

The point guard was a great perimeter defender, which is why he was selected to an All-Defensive team six times.

Pearl Jam was named after a 13-year NBA veteran (Image via Getty Images)

In his second season in the league, the Nets guard increased his averages across the board. He finished the 1990-91 season averaging 14.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals.

You may be interested in reading: 5 NBA teams with the worst league finishes after winning the title a season before

Blaylock still holds several records for the Atlanta Hawks, including for most 3-pointers made with 1,050.