Gary Payton

Gary Payton is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association.

He spent the majority of his NBA career playing for the Seattle Supersonics. In 1999, he was named the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year. He later played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and the Miami Heat.

In 2006, he became an NBA champion while playing for the Heat.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Gary Dwayne Payton Sr. was born on July 23, 1968, in Oakland, California in the United States. He stands 193 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 86 kg. He is the father of basketball player Gary Payton II. As a player, Payton is known for his trash talk.

He is considered one of the all-time great point guards in the NBA.

High School and College Career

He played high school basketball for Skyline High School. His teammate was fellow future NBA Player Greg Foster. For college, he played for Oregon State University. He had wanted to attend the University of Texas at El Paso but that invitation was rescinded. He played with the university from 1986 to 1990.

While there, he was named to the All-Pac-10 three times. He was also named the 1990 Pac-10 Player of the Year. Later, the University retired his jersey number.

Professional Career

He was drafted into the NBA in 1990 and was the 2nd overall pick. Selected by the Seattle Supersonics, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1991. In 1994, he was first named to the NBA All-Star Team. He has also been named to the All-NBA Second Team and the All-NBA Third Team.

In 1996, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. That year, he also led the league in steals. In 2003, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and then to the Los Angeles Lakers where he played for a season. In 2004, the Lakers traded him to the Boston Celtics.

In 2005, he signed a one-year contract with the Miami Heat. In 2006, he helped the team win the NBA Championship. He retired from the sport in 2007. Later, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He has also been named to the Naismith Memorial Anniversary Team.

Career Highlights

• 2006 - NBA champion
• 1994–1998, 2000–2003 - NBA All-Star
• 1998, 2000 - All-NBA First Team
• 1995–1997, 1999, 2002 - All-NBA Second Team
• 1994, 2001 - All-NBA Third Team
• 1996 - NBA Defensive Player of the Year
• 1994–2002 - NBA All-Defensive First Team
• 1996 - NBA steals leader
• 1991 - NBA All-Rookie Second Team

• NBA 75th Anniversary Team

• 1990 - Consensus first-team All-American
• 1990 - Pac-10 Player of the Year
• 1988–1990 - All-Pac-10
• 1987 - Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year

• No. 20 retired by Oregon State Beavers

• 1999 - USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year

Career NBA Statistics

• Points - 21,813 (16.3 ppg)
• Rebounds - 5,269 (3.9 rpg)
• Assists - 8,966 (6.7 apg)

• Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, 2013

Medal record, Men's basketball, representing the United States

• Gold - 1996 Olympic Games Atlanta
• Gold - 2000 Olympic Games Sydney
• Gold - 1999 FIBA Americas Championship San Juan
• Silver - 1989 FIBA Americas Championship Mexico City
• Silver - 1987 FIBA U19 World Championship Bormio