Elfrid Payton's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 5, 2025

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Elfrid Payton.

Elfrid Payton Jr. is a professional basketball player currently with the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. He played college basketball for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, earning the Lefty Driesell Award for his defensive prowess in 2014. Payton entered the NBA after being drafted 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA draft, and was subsequently traded to the Orlando Magic.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: Payton is first NBA rookie since Antoine Walker to post consecutive triple doubles

In 1997, Antoine Walker posted consecutive triple doubles with the Boston Celtics. Elfrid Payton became the first NBA rookie to do it since Antoine Walker in 1997.

March 2, 2013: Kyle Lowry records minimalist triple-double

On March 2, 2013, Kyle Lowry recorded exactly 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a single game for Toronto, something Elfrid Payton repeated in 2018.

2013: Payton wins gold medal at FIBA Under-19 World Championship

In 2013, Elfrid Payton was a late addition to Team USA's U19 World Championships Trials Roster and competed in the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship. He started in all nine games for Team USA, and the team won the gold medal, going 9–0 in the tournament.

2014: Payton earns Defensive Player of the Year awards

In 2014, Elfrid Payton led the Ragin' Cajuns to the 2014 NCAA Tournament. He was named first team All-Sun Belt and was the conference Defensive Player of the Year. At the end of the season, he was named the National Defensive Player of the Year by winning the Lefty Driesell Award.

2014: Payton wins Lefty Driesell Award and drafted into NBA

In 2014, Elfrid Payton won the Lefty Driesell Award as the national college defensive player of the year. He was also selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, but was then traded to the Orlando Magic.

November 18, 2015: Payton scores career-high 24 points

On November 18, 2015, Elfrid Payton scored a then career-high 24 points in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

March 23, 2016: Payton records third career triple-double

On March 23, 2016, Elfrid Payton recorded his third career triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.

December 13, 2016: Payton records career highs

On December 13, 2016, Elfrid Payton recorded career highs with 26 points and 14 assists in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

January 14, 2017: Payton has career-high 28 points

On January 14, 2017, Elfrid Payton had a career-high 28 points and added nine rebounds and nine assists in a loss to the Utah Jazz.

March 6, 2017: Payton records first triple-double of the season

On March 6, 2017, Elfrid Payton had his first triple-double of the season with 16 points, 10 assists, and 11 rebounds in a loss to the New York Knicks.

March 13, 2017: Payton records his third triple-double of the season

On March 13, 2017, Elfrid Payton recorded his third triple-double of the season, with 13 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in a loss to the Sacramento Kings.

December 23, 2017: Payton scores a career-high 30 points

On December 23, 2017, Elfrid Payton scored a career-high 30 points in a loss to the Washington Wizards.

March 4, 2018: Payton records a season-high 14 assists

On March 4, 2018, Elfrid Payton had 11 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high 14 assists in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. It was his second triple-double in nine games with the Suns.