Lindy Waters III Bio
Lindy Waters III (born July 28, 1997) is a Kiowa and Cherokee-American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and listed at 210 lb (95 kg), he plays as a guard and is recognized for his perimeter shooting and strong work in developmental leagues. Waters entered the NBA in 2022 and has since suited up for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Golden State Warriors, and the Detroit Pistons before joining San Antonio.
Waters played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 2016 to 2020 before going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft. He began his professional career in the grassroots Enid Outlaws organization and the Oklahoma City Blue, eventually earning an NBA contract. He was named a finalist for the NBA 2023–24 Social Justice Champion Award for the work his foundation does to support Native American youth through sports, health, and wellness.
Early Life and Background
Lindy Waters III was born on July 28, 1997, in Boulder, Colorado, to Lindy Waters Jr. and Lisa Waters. He is an enrolled citizen of the Kiowa tribe and is also of Cherokee Nation descent. His mother is of Cherokee and Irish background, while his father is a full-blooded Native American. The family later settled in Oklahoma, where Waters developed his love for basketball.
Waters attended Norman North High School in Norman, Oklahoma. During his senior year, he was involved in an off-court incident in which he posed for a picture with an airsoft gun after losing a bet with friends. He was expelled following the incident and transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. After several months, he was allowed to return to Norman North, where he re-joined the basketball team and helped the program reach the state title game.
In November 2015, Waters committed to playing college basketball at Oklahoma State. His commitment marked the next step in a basketball journey shaped by perseverance, family support, and his Native American heritage.
Path to Basketball
Waters arrived at Oklahoma State as part of the 2016 recruiting class. During his freshman year, he suffered a concussion and a fractured foot that caused him to miss several games, but he still averaged 5.7 points per game on a team that reached the NCAA Tournament. As a sophomore, he grew into a more complete contributor, averaging 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while continuing to develop his perimeter shot.
Off the court, Waters was named "Indian of the Year" by an Intertribal Council in August 2018, reflecting his growing role as a representative of Native communities. As a junior, he averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, and as a senior he posted 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, he committed himself to a long road through minor league basketball in pursuit of an NBA opportunity.
Lindy Waters III Career
Early Career (2021)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Waters signed with the Enid Outlaws of The Basketball League on March 31, 2021. In 17 games with the Outlaws, he averaged 12.6 points, 4.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game, showing the playmaking skills that had marked his college years. On July 6, 2021, he signed with Palmer Alma Mediterránea of the LEB Oro in Spain, but the deal was voided on August 14 due to bureaucratic problems.
Looking for a new path to the NBA, Waters joined the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League in October 2021 following a successful tryout. He appeared in 16 games for the Blue and averaged 11.4 points per game, opening the door to his first NBA opportunity.
Oklahoma City Thunder Era (2021–2024)
On February 10, 2022, Waters was signed to a two-way contract by his hometown team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the 2021-22 season, he competed in 25 games for the Thunder and averaged eight points per game, giving the franchise a reliable shooting option off the bench. He continued to split time between the Thunder and the Blue, refining his role as a perimeter specialist.
On February 27, 2023, the Thunder converted Waters’ deal into a multi-year standard contract, signaling their confidence in his long-term development. In 2022-23, he played 31 games for the Thunder, averaging 5.2 points per game, while also appearing in 13 games for the Blue and averaging 16.4 points per game. After declining his team option, the Thunder re-signed him to a two-way contract on August 18, 2023, before signing him to a multi-year deal on February 9, 2024.
During the 2023-24 season, Waters played 38 games for the Thunder, averaging 3.6 points per game, and appeared in three playoff games without scoring. He also played 10 games for the Blue, averaging 21.8 points per game, and helped the Blue capture the 2024 NBA G League championship. That same year, he was named a finalist for the NBA Social Justice Champion Award for his foundation’s work with Native American youth.
Golden State Warriors Era (2024–2025)
On June 27, 2024, the Golden State Warriors traded their 52nd pick in the 2024 NBA draft to acquire Waters from Oklahoma City. He quickly became a fan favorite with his energetic play and deep shooting. On October 5, 2024, he hit a game-winning buzzer beater against the Los Angeles Clippers in a preseason game, his first career buzzer-beating game winner.
On October 29, 2024, Waters scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a blowout victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. He finished the season appearing in 38 games for the Warriors, averaging 5.5 points per game while serving as a secondary scoring option and a veteran presence in the locker room.
Detroit Pistons (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Waters was traded to the Detroit Pistons in a five-team deal that sent Jimmy Butler to the Warriors. In Detroit, he played in 14 games and averaged 4.4 points per game, providing steady depth as the Pistons continued their rebuilding process. The short stint kept him in the league and prepared him for his next chapter in San Antonio.
San Antonio Spurs Era (2025–Present)
On July 24, 2025, the San Antonio Spurs announced they had signed Waters, adding another shooter to their young core. That season, Waters played in 40 games for the Spurs and averaged 2.4 points per game, contributing as a veteran mentor and floor spacer. He became part of a developing roster built around emerging talent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Waters is best known for his perimeter shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, where his quick release and confidence allow him to stretch defenses. He combines that shooting with reliable passing and the poise of a player who has climbed through multiple minor leagues. His veteran background and willingness to embrace role-player minutes make him a complementary piece on rebuilding rosters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Waters’ signature moments include his first career buzzer-beating game winner against the Clippers in October 2024 and his season-high 21-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans. He was part of the 2024 Oklahoma City Blue NBA G League championship team and was named a finalist for the 2023-24 NBA Social Justice Champion Award. His undrafted path from Enid and Oklahoma City to four NBA franchises stands as one of the most determined journeys in recent league history.
Lindy Waters III Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Waters was raised in a family that emphasized both cultural heritage and athletic achievement. His father, Lindy Waters Jr., is a full-blooded Native American, and his mother, Lisa Waters, is of Cherokee and Irish descent. The family raised Lindy III with strong ties to his Kiowa and Cherokee roots, and he is an enrolled citizen of the Kiowa tribe with additional Cherokee Nation heritage.
Personal Life
Off the court, Waters is widely known for his foundation work supporting Native American youth through sports, health, and wellness initiatives. That work led to his finalist recognition for the 2023-24 NBA Social Justice Champion Award. He continues to use his platform to spotlight Indigenous communities and create opportunities for young athletes.
2025 Season Performance
Waters’ 2025 campaign unfolded in three chapters, beginning with his time in Golden State before he was dealt to the Detroit Pistons as part of a five-team trade on February 6, 2025. With the Warriors, he served as a key reserve, appearing in 38 games and averaging 5.5 points per game, highlighted by his buzzer-beating preseason winner and his 21-point outing against New Orleans. After the trade, he appeared in 14 games for the Pistons, averaging 4.4 points per game as Detroit continued to build its young core.
On July 24, 2025, the San Antonio Spurs announced the signing of Waters, adding shooting and veteran experience to a developing roster. He played in 40 games for the Spurs during the season, averaging 2.4 points per game in a reduced but supportive role. His leadership in the locker room and willingness to embrace team-first minutes made him a steady influence on a young team.
Looking ahead, Waters is expected to remain a key depth piece in San Antonio as the Spurs continue their rebuild around emerging talent. His perimeter shooting, playoff experience with the Thunder, and G League championship background give him a clear path to contribute. Combined with his continued foundation work, Waters remains a respected figure both inside and outside NBA locker rooms.
