Doug Christie is an American professional basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the interim head coach for the Sacramento Kings.
He played college basketball at Pepperdine University and was drafted 17th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft.
Christie had a 15-year NBA career, playing for seven teams, including the Sacramento Kings, where he was a key defensive player and made multiple All-Defensive teams.
He transitioned into coaching, becoming an assistant coach for the Kings in 2021 and was named interim head coach in December 2024.
Under his leadership, the Kings have shown significant improvement, achieving a 9-2 record and enhancing team morale.
Parents
Doug’s parents are John Malone and Norma Christie.
He was born in Seattle, Washington, and is biracial, with his father being African American and his mother being white.
Christie was raised primarily by his mother in Seattle but also spent time with his father in Longview, Washington.
Christie’s upbringing involved moving between his mother’s home in Seattle and his father’s in Longview.
Christie is well-known for his professional basketball career and his personal life, including his marriage to Jackie Christie.
The couple has appeared on reality TV shows and has three children together.
Career
Christie had a successful 15-year career in the NBA, playing from 1992 to 2007.
He was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 17th overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft.
Throughout his career, Christie played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Christie was particularly noted for his defensive prowess. He was a versatile player who could guard multiple positions, which earned him multiple All-Defensive Team selections.
His defensive skills were highlighted by his inclusion on the NBA All-Defensive First Team once and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times.
Christie’s ability to disrupt opponents’ offenses and create turnovers made him a valuable asset to his teams.
His playing career was marked by his dedication to defense, which became a hallmark of his time in the league.
After retiring from professional basketball, Christie transitioned into coaching.
In 2021, he joined the Sacramento Kings as an assistant coach. This role allowed him to bring his experience and defensive expertise to the team’s coaching staff.
In December 2024, Christie was appointed as the interim head coach of the Sacramento Kings.
This marked his first stint as a head coach in the NBA.
Under his leadership, the Kings have shown significant improvement, reflecting Christie’s ability to adapt and lead effectively in a coaching capacity.
His experience as a player and assistant coach has helped him connect with players and implement strategies that enhance team performance.
Christie’s coaching style emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and defensive intensity, drawing from his own playing career.
His appointment as interim head coach has been seen as a positive move by the Kings organization, and his early success suggests a promising future in coaching.