Gary Dwayne Payton II Bio
Gary Dwayne Payton II is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a shooting guard and small forward for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. Born on December 1, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, Payton II has built a reputation as an elite perimeter defender throughout his professional career. He is the son of Hall of Fame point guard Gary Payton, who earned the nickname “The Glove” during his legendary playing career with the Seattle SuperSonics. Gary Payton II carries the defensive legacy forward, earning the nicknames “GP2” and “Young Glove” throughout his basketball journey. He achieved his ultimate professional goal when he won an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022, joining his father as members of an exclusive group of father-son championship duos in NBA history.
Early Life and Background
Gary Payton II was born in Seattle while his father was actively playing for the Seattle SuperSonics, establishing an early connection to professional basketball. He 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. Following high school, he enrolled at Westwind Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, for the 2011-12 season to further develop his basketball skills and academic standing. The guidance of his Hall of Fame father provided constant inspiration and mentorship throughout his formative years, helping shape his understanding of the game at the highest level.
Path to Professional Basketball
Payton II began his collegiate career at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah, playing for the Salt Lake Bruins from 2012 to 2014. As a freshman during the 2012-13 season, he averaged 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while leading the Bruins to a 29-5 overall record and a Region 18 Championship. His sophomore year saw improvement across the board, with averages of 14.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, earning him Second Team NJCAA Division I All-American honors and Region 18 Co-Player of the Year recognition. The Bruins finished with a 27-7 record and won their second consecutive Region 18 Championship during his tenure.
Seeking to continue his development at a four-year program, Payton II signed a letter of intent to play for Oregon State University, his father’s alma mater. He played for the Oregon State Beavers from 2014 to 2016 under coaches Craig Robinson and later Wayne Tinkle. During his first season with the Beavers, Payton II recorded a triple-double against Grambling State with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming only the second Beaver ever to achieve this feat, joining his father who recorded one in 1988. He led the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals that season, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team. His stellar play continued into his senior year, where he was named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award and earned AP Honorable Mention All-American status, establishing himself as one of the top defensive players in college basketball.
Gary Dwayne Payton II Career
Development League Years (2016-2019)
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Payton II joined the Houston Rockets for the 2016 NBA Summer League and signed with the team on September 23, 2016. He was waived less than a month later but quickly found a home with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ NBA Development League affiliate. On December 3, 2016, he scored a remarkable 51 points on 20-of-29 shooting to go with 11 rebounds in a 140-125 win over the Los Angeles D-Fenders, showcasing his offensive capabilities. The Vipers went on to win the NBA G League Championship that season, providing Payton II with his first professional title.
His journey through the minor leagues continued with stints that tested his patience and perseverance. On April 2, 2017, he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks and made his NBA debut that same night, scoring five points in nine minutes off the bench against the Dallas Mavericks. He signed a two-way contract with the Bucks via their G League affiliate the Wisconsin Herd, eventually earning his first NBA start on November 22, 2017, against the Phoenix Suns as a small forward due to team injuries. His tenure with Milwaukee ended in December 2017, leading him to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers on January 15, 2018, on another two-way contract.
Portland and Washington Period (2018-2021)
The 2018-19 season brought more roster shuffling when Payton II signed with the Portland Trail Blazers for training camp but was waived before the regular season. He returned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and then joined the Washington Wizards on a 10-day contract in January 2019, making his debut on January 22 in a win over the Detroit Pistons. Further moves included time with the South Bay Lakers and a return to Washington before the end of the 2019-20 season, which was interrupted when he tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2020. These challenging years tested his mental toughness and commitment to earning a permanent NBA role.
Golden State Warriors Championship Run (2021-2022)
The breakthrough Payton II had been working toward arrived when he signed with the Golden State Warriors on April 8, 2021, initially on a 10-day contract that was extended twice before becoming a rest-of-season deal. Though he was waived shortly before the 2021-22 season began, he was re-signed by the Warriors on October 19 after clearing waivers. His perseverance paid off spectacularly during the championship run, where he played a key defensive role off the bench. In the Western Conference Semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, he fractured his left elbow in Game 2 after Dillon Brooks committed a flagrant foul while Payton II was airborne for a layup. Despite the injury, he returned to help his team advance through the playoffs.
The pinnacle of his career came during the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. In Game 5, Payton II posted 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals in the victory. In Game 6, he played a major defensive role as the Warriors closed out the series, and Gary Payton II won his first NBA championship. He and his father Gary became the fifth father-son duo to win an NBA title, joining an exclusive list that includes teammates Klay Thompson and his father Mychal Thompson. The championship represented the culmination of years of dedication through the G League ranks and multiple team changes.
Portland Trail Blazers Era (2022-2023)
Following his championship success, Payton II signed a three-year, $28 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers on July 6, 2022. The contract represented well-deserved financial security after years of two-way contracts and minimum salaries. However, he underwent offseason core muscle surgery that delayed the start of his Blazers career. He finally made his debut on January 2, 2023, recording seven points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal in a 135-106 win over the Detroit Pistons. His time in Portland was cut short when he was traded back to the Golden State Warriors on February 9, 2023, as part of a four-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons.
Return to Golden State Warriors (2023-Present)
Payton II returned to the Golden State Warriors in February 2023 and made his debut on March 26 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. On March 6, 2024, he surpassed 1,000 career points in a 125-90 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, a milestone that represented the fulfillment of his long NBA journey. The 2024-25 season brought continued contributions as a defensive specialist and energy player off the bench for the Warriors. On April 26, 2025, in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, Payton II scored a playoff career-high 16 points against the Houston Rockets to help the Warriors take a 2-1 lead in the series. His performance demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when it matters most.
Defensive Identity and Playing Style
Gary Payton II has established himself as one of the premier perimeter defenders in the NBA, following directly in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father. His defensive instincts, anticipation skills, and physicality allow him to guard multiple positions effectively. Known for his quick hands and disruptive nature on the perimeter, he consistently ranks among the league leaders in steals per minute when on the court. Offensively, he has developed into a reliable three-point shooter and athletic finisher at the rim, providing the Warriors with valuable versatility on both ends of the floor. His ability to guard elite guards and wings makes him a critical component of Golden State’s defensive schemes.
Gary Dwayne Payton II Career Highlights
Throughout his professional journey from undrafted free agent to NBA champion, Payton II has accumulated significant accomplishments at both the NBA and G League levels. His defensive prowess has been consistently recognized, earning him multiple prestigious awards during his time in the developmental league before establishing himself in the NBA.
NBA Achievements
His most significant accomplishment came in 2022 when he won an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors, defeating the Boston Celtics in six games. The championship was particularly meaningful as it came with his father watching from the stands, making them only the fifth father-son duo to achieve this distinction. Prior to his championship run, he demonstrated his defensive capabilities by winning the NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021 while playing for the Raptors 905, also leading the G League in steals that season and earning a spot on the NBA G League All-Defensive Team. His college career at Oregon State produced multiple Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year awards and First-team All-Pac-12 selections, foreshadowing his professional defensive identity.
Recent Milestones
The 2024-25 season saw Payton II reach several career milestones, including scoring his 1,000th career point in March 2024 against his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks. His playoff performance in April 2025, where he scored a career playoff-high 16 points in a first-round game against the Houston Rockets, demonstrated his continued value as a bench contributor for the Warriors. The Warriors took a 2-1 series lead in that matchup thanks in part to his efforts. He re-signed with the Warriors on September 29, 2025, committing his future to the organization where he achieved championship success.
Gary Dwayne Payton II Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Gary Payton II comes from exceptional basketball lineage as the son of Gary Payton, widely considered one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Gary Payton earned the nickname “The Glove” for his tenacious defensive prowess and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 following a career that included one NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, nine All-Star selections, and nine All-NBA Defensive Team honors. His son’s defensive playing style mirrors his father’s approach to the game, with “Young Glove” serving as a direct tribute to the family legacy. Their 2022 championship together made them the fifth father-son duo to win NBA titles, joining an exclusive fraternity that includes basketball royalty.
Personal Life
Outside of basketball, Gary Payton II announced in September 2025 that he would be launching a professional skateboard league, with plans for the inaugural season to begin in 2026 in Big Bear, California. The venture demonstrates his interests beyond basketball and commitment to expanding opportunities in sports. He continues to be guided by the example set by his father while carving out his own unique path in professional athletics and business ventures.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season represented another productive chapter in Gary Payton II’s career with the Golden State Warriors. Continuing his role as a defensive specialist and energy player off the bench, he provided the Warriors with valuable minutes in limited appearances. His contributions extended beyond the box score, as his defensive intensity and veteran experience proved valuable in key moments throughout the season. The Warriors qualified for the playoffs and faced the Houston Rockets in the first round, where Payton II’s playoff career-high 16-point performance in Game 3 helped the team take control of the series. His ability to step up in playoff moments demonstrated the kind of reliable contributor he has become for Golden State. Looking ahead, Payton II’s re-signing in September 2025 ensures he will continue his career with the Warriors organization, where he has found the most success and stability in his professional journey.