Gary Payton II Bio
Gary Dwayne Payton II is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on December 1, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, he plays the shooting guard and small forward positions and is widely recognized for his tenacious defense and high-energy play. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, Payton II has built a reputation as a reliable role player after beginning his college career at Salt Lake Community College and finishing at Oregon State University. He won his first NBA championship with the Warriors in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Gary Dwayne Payton II was born in Seattle, Washington, to Monique and Gary Payton, while his father was a member of the Seattle SuperSonics. His father, Gary Payton, is a Hall of Famer who earned the nickname “The Glove” during his own playing career. Growing up around the game gave Payton II an early and constant exposure to professional basketball, and he has often spoken about learning the value of hard work and defensive intensity from his father.
Payton attended Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he lettered two years in basketball and one year in swimming before graduating in 2011. He then enrolled at Westwind Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, for the 2011–12 season to further sharpen his basketball skills. After his prep year, he took his game to the junior college level.
Path to Basketball
Payton II began his collegiate career at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he played two seasons for the Bruins. As a freshman in 2012–13, he averaged 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, leading the Bruins to a 29–5 record and a Region 18 Championship. He earned First Team All-Scenic West Athletic Conference and Region 18 All-Tournament Team honors that year.
In his sophomore season at Salt Lake CC, Payton II raised his averages to 14.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, earning Second Team NJCAA Division I All-American honors. He was voted 2014 Region 18 Co-Player of the Year and Region 18 Tournament Most Valuable Player, helping the Bruins win a second straight Region 18 Championship. During that sophomore year, he signed a letter of intent to play for his father’s alma mater, Oregon State, under coach Craig Robinson.
Gary Payton II Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Payton II joined the Houston Rockets for the 2016 NBA Summer League. He was waived on October 24, 2016, and soon after was acquired by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League. On December 3, 2016, he erupted for 51 points on 20-of-29 shooting to go with 11 rebounds in a 140–125 win over the Los Angeles D-Fenders, an early sign of his offensive ceiling.
Payton II signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in April 2017 and split time between the Bucks and their G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. He later joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract in January 2018, posting a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers in the season finale. He also spent time with the Washington Wizards on a 10-day contract in January 2019, bouncing between NBA and G League rosters while building his resume.
Golden State Warriors Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Payton II signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors in April 2021 and was later signed for the remainder of that season and the next. He began the 2021–22 campaign by being waived and re-signed in mid-October 2021, then emerged as a defensive spark plug in the playoffs. He started the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, fracturing his left elbow in Game 2 after a hard foul by Dillon Brooks while attempting a fast-break layup.
Payton II returned for the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics and delivered one of the defining performances of his career in Game 5, posting 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals in a 104–94 win. He then played a major defensive role in Game 6 as Golden State clinched the championship. That title made Payton II and his father only the fifth father-son duo to win an NBA title, and the moment carried deep personal meaning for the Payton family.
Portland Trail Blazers Era (2022–2023)
On July 6, 2022, Payton II signed a three-year, $28 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. He underwent offseason core muscle surgery, which delayed his debut until January 2, 2023. In his first game with the Blazers, he produced seven points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal in a 135–106 win over the Detroit Pistons, signaling his return to full strength despite a shortened campaign.
Return to Golden State Era (2023–Present)
On February 9, 2023, Payton II was traded back to the Golden State Warriors in a four-team deal involving the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons. He made his return debut on March 26, 2023, against the Minnesota Timberwolves and quickly re-established himself as a defensive specialist. On March 6, 2024, he surpassed 1,000 career points in a 125–90 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, a milestone that reflected his growing offensive consistency.
Payton II continued to play a meaningful role in the 2024–25 season and re-signed with the Warriors on September 29, 2025, ahead of the new campaign. In the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets, he scored a playoff career high of 16 points on April 26, 2025, helping Golden State take a 2-1 series lead and showcasing his continued growth as a two-way contributor.
Driving Style and Strengths
Payton II is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders, using quick hands, active feet, and relentless energy to disrupt opponents. His craft for generating steals and drawing offensive fouls has earned him Defensive Player of the Year recognition at multiple levels, including the Pac-12 and the NBA G League. Offensively, he excels as a cutter, transition finisher, and connective passer, complementing star scorers rather than serving as a primary ball-handler.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Payton II recorded a triple-double of 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists against Grambling State, becoming only the second Oregon State player to reach that mark after his father. His Game 5 performance in the 2022 NBA Finals and his 51-point outburst with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in 2016 stand out as career-defining nights that announced his arrival as a professional.
Gary Payton II Career Wins
Gary Dwayne Payton II has collected titles and individual awards across multiple levels of professional and collegiate basketball. His career includes an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022, an NBA G League championship with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in 2019, and a Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year double with the Oregon State Beavers. He has also earned G League Defensive Player of the Year honors and All-Defensive recognition, reflecting a consistent track record of team and individual success.
NBA Highlights
Payton II won his first NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022, contributing impactful defense and timely scoring throughout the playoff run. His 15-point, three-steal performance in Game 5 of the Finals against the Boston Celtics helped seal the title, and his postseason role cemented his reputation as a reliable two-way contributor on the biggest stage.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NBA G League, Payton II helped the Rio Grande Valley Vipers win a championship in 2019 and was named the 2021 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year, along with selection to the G League All-Defensive Team and steals leader. At the collegiate level, he was a two-time First-team All-Pac-12 selection, a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and an AP Honorable Mention All-American in 2016.
Gary Payton II Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Gary Dwayne Payton II is the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton and Monique Payton. His father, widely known as “The Glove,” was a longtime Seattle SuperSonic and one of the greatest perimeter defenders in NBA history. That defensive pedigree has clearly influenced Payton II’s playing identity, and the two share a unique milestone as the fifth father-son duo to win an NBA title.
Personal Life
On September 1, 2025, it was announced that Payton II would be launching a professional skateboard league, with intentions to hold its inaugural season in 2026 in Big Bear, California. The venture reflects his interests outside of basketball and his desire to build new competitive platforms beyond the NBA.
2025 Season Performance
Gary Dwayne Payton II entered the 2025 calendar year as a key rotation piece for the Golden State Warriors, providing perimeter defense, secondary playmaking, and timely scoring. He surpassed 1,000 career points on March 6, 2024, against the Milwaukee Bucks in a 125–90 victory, and carried that momentum into the 2024–25 campaign as a reliable veteran presence in the locker room and on the floor.
On April 26, 2025, in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets, Payton II scored a playoff career high of 16 points to help the Warriors take a 2-1 lead in the series. His performance in that game highlighted his growth as a two-way player capable of producing under the brightest postseason lights. The outing also underscored his value as a connector who can swing tight playoff games with defensive stops and efficient offense.
On September 29, 2025, Payton II re-signed with the Warriors, signaling the organization’s continued confidence in his role. With the 2025–26 season approaching, he remains a central figure in Golden State’s identity as a defensive-minded, depth-driven contender, and his leadership and energy are expected to remain central to the team’s outlook.
