Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile for Gary Payton:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Gary Dwayne Payton Sr.
  • Nickname: The Glove
  • 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: 2, 20 (Seattle SuperSonics), 20 (Milwaukee Bucks), 20 (Los Angeles Lakers), 20 (Boston Celtics), 20 (Miami Heat)
  • 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:
    1. Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)
    2. Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
    3. Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
    4. Boston Celtics (2004–2005)
    5. Miami Heat (2005–2007)
  • NBA Accolades:
    • NBA Champion:
      • 2006 with the Miami Heat.
    • NBA All-Star:
      • 9-time All-Star (1994–1998, 2000–2003).
    • All-NBA Teams:
      • First Team: 2 times (1998, 2000).
      • Second Team: 5 times (1995–1997, 1999, 2002).
      • Third Team: 2 times (1994, 2001).
    • NBA All-Defensive Teams:
      • First Team: 9 times (1994–2002).
      • Second Team: Once (2003).
    • Defensive Player of the Year:
      • 1996 (the only point guard to ever win this award).
    • Steals Leader:
      • 1996.
    • NBA 75th Anniversary Team:
      • Named in 2021, recognizing the greatest players in league history.
  • College Accolades:
    • Consensus First-Team All-American:
      • 1990.
    • Pac-10 Player of the Year:
      • 1990.
    • Oregon State Beavers Achievements:
      • School-record holder for points and assists when he graduated.
      • His No. 20 jersey was retired by Oregon State University.
  • Other Accolades:
    • Hall of Fame Induction:
      • Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
    • Olympic Gold Medals:
      • 1996 Olympics (Atlanta).
      • 2000 Olympics (Sydney).
    • FIBA World Championship:
      • Gold Medal: 1994 (Team USA).
    • Career Stats:
      • Points: 21,813 (16.3 per game).
      • Assists: 8,966 (6.7 per game).
      • Steals: 2,445 (1.8 per game).
  • 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.
  • Retirement Age: 38
  • Retirement Year: 2006-2007 (with Miami Heat)
  • Net Worth: Gary Payton Contract History

Player Archetype / Play Style

Gary Payton’s player archetype was that of a two-way lead guard, a rare point guard who could run an offense at a high level while also setting a punishing defensive tone from the front of the attack. At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, he had excellent size for the position, strong balance, long reach, and the kind of toughness and swagger that let him crowd ball-handlers, absorb contact, and control tempo. Defensively, Payton operated as an elite point-of-attack stopper and disruptive playmaker, pressuring guards full court, jumping passing lanes, and using his hands, anticipation, and competitiveness to wear opponents down. Offensively, he was far more than a setup man, functioning as a primary creator who could score from the post, attack off the dribble, hit mid-range jumpers, and consistently create for teammates. His play style was forceful, vocal, and highly controlled, blending shot creation, passing, physical defense, and relentless edge in a way that made him one of the most complete guards of his era. (NBA)

Notes:

  • Gary Payton’s height without shoes is 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm). Gary Payton’s height with shoes is 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm).
  • Gary Payton’s playing weight was 180 pounds (82 kg).

Sources:

NBA.com — Gary Payton | Guard | Seattle SuperSonics | NBA.com
Basketball Reference — Gary Payton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
NBA.com — Archive 75: Gary Payton
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Gary Payton – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Sports Forecaster — Gary Payton Stats, Profile, Bio, Analysis and More | Retired