Last Updated on September 8, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake
Here’s a detailed profile for Gary Payton:
- Full Name: Gary Dwayne Payton Sr.
- Nationality: American
- Age: Born July 23, 1968
- Hometown: Oakland, California
- Height: 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters)
- Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters)
- Shoe Size: Size 13 (US)
- Number: Mostly wore 20 during his NBA career
- Position: Point Guard
- High School: Skyline High School in Oakland, California
- College: Oregon State University (1986–1990)
- Became one of the top players in school history and was a consensus All-American.
- NBA Draft: Draft Year: 1990 NBA Draft; 2nd overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics
- NBA Teams Played For:
- Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)
- Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
- Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
- Boston Celtics (2004–2005)
- Miami Heat (2005–2007)
- Championships: 1 (2006 NBA Championship with the Miami Heat)
- Kids: Gary Payton has four children, including Gary Payton II, who is also an NBA player.
- Siblings: He has a brother, Brandon Payton, who played professional basketball in Europe.
Career Highlights
- Nickname: “The Glove” due to his exceptional defensive abilities.
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1996 (the only point guard to win this award)
- 9× NBA All-Star
- 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013
Gary Payton is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive guards in NBA history and was known for his trash-talking and intensity on the court.