Gary Dwayne Payton II is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors. He earned recognition during his college career at Oregon State, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors and being named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Payton achieved NBA championship success in 2022, winning his first title with the Warriors.
1988: Gary Payton's Triple-Double at Oregon State
Gary Payton, Gary Payton II's father, achieved a triple-double while playing for Oregon State in 1988.
December 1, 1992: Birth of Gary Payton II
Gary Dwayne Payton II was born on December 1, 1992.
2011: Graduation from Spring Valley High School
Gary Payton II graduated from Spring Valley High School in 2011, where he participated in basketball and swimming.
2012: Freshman Year at Salt Lake Community College
Gary Payton II began his college basketball career at Salt Lake Community College in 2012.
2013: First Team All-SWAC and Region 18 Championship
In 2013, Payton II was named First Team All-SWAC and led his team to a Region 18 Championship win.
2014: Second Team NJCAA Division I All-American Honors and Region 18 Championship
Gary Payton II earned Second Team NJCAA Division I All-American honors and his team won a second consecutive Region 18 Championship in 2014.
January 26, 2015: Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week
On January 26, 2015, Gary Payton II was named Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week.
March 9, 2015: All-Pac-12 First Team, All-Pac-12 Defensive Team, and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year
Gary Payton II received several accolades on March 9, 2015, including being named to the All-Pac-12 First Team, All-Pac-12 Defensive Team, and being recognized as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
February 1, 2016: Bob Cousy Award Finalist
Gary Payton II was named one of the 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the top point guard of the year, on February 1, 2016.
September 23, 2016: Signing with the Houston Rockets
Gary Payton II signed with the Houston Rockets on September 23, 2016.
October 31, 2016: Joining the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Gary Payton II was acquired by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, an NBA Development League team, on October 31, 2016.
December 3, 2016: Career-High 51 Points with the Vipers
On December 3, 2016, Gary Payton II scored a career-high 51 points for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
April 2, 2017: Signing with the Milwaukee Bucks
Gary Payton II signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on April 2, 2017.
October 17, 2017: Two-Way Contract with the Bucks and Wisconsin Herd
Gary Payton II signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks and their G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, on October 17, 2017.
November 22, 2017: First NBA Start
Gary Payton II made his first NBA start on November 22, 2017, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.
January 15, 2018: Signing with the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers signed Gary Payton II to a two-way contract on January 15, 2018.
September 4, 2018: Training Camp Contract with the Portland Trail Blazers
Gary Payton II signed a training camp contract with the Portland Trail Blazers on September 4, 2018.
October 13, 2018: Waived by the Trail Blazers
Gary Payton II was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers on October 13, 2018.
December 12, 2018: Return to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers announced the return of Gary Payton II to their team on December 12, 2018.
January 21, 2019: 10-Day Contract with the Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards signed Gary Payton II to a 10-day contract on January 21, 2019.
October 24, 2019: Acquired by the Canton Charge
The Canton Charge acquired the returning rights to Gary Payton II on October 24, 2019.
October 26, 2019: Traded to the South Bay Lakers
Gary Payton II was traded to the South Bay Lakers on October 26, 2019.
October 28, 2019: Added to the South Bay Lakers Training Camp Roster
The South Bay Lakers added Gary Payton II to their training camp roster on October 28, 2019.
November 4, 2019: Joining the South Bay Lakers Opening Night Roster
Gary Payton II was included in the South Bay Lakers' opening night roster on November 4, 2019.
December 23, 2019: Return to the Washington Wizards
Gary Payton II signed with the Washington Wizards on December 23, 2019.
July 9, 2020: Positive Test for COVID-19
Gary Payton II tested positive for COVID-19 on July 9, 2020.
January 11, 2021: Drafted by Raptors 905 and Named Defensive Player of the Year
The Raptors 905 selected Gary Payton II 15th overall in the NBA G League draft on January 11, 2021. He was later named the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.
April 8, 2021: 10-Day Contract with the Golden State Warriors
Gary Payton II signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors on April 8, 2021.
2021: Breakout Season and Elbow Injury with the Warriors
Gary Payton II had a breakout season in 2021 with the Golden State Warriors but suffered a fractured elbow during the playoffs.
July 6, 2022: Signs with Portland Trail Blazers
On July 6, 2022, Gary Payton II signed a three-year, $28 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.
2022: NBA Championship with the Warriors
In 2022, Gary Payton II won his first NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors.
January 2, 2023: Blazers Debut
Gary Payton II made his debut for the Portland Trail Blazers on January 2, 2023, after recovering from offseason surgery. He contributed seven points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal in a win against the Detroit Pistons.
February 9, 2023: Traded back to Golden State Warriors
On February 9, 2023, Gary Payton II was traded back to the Golden State Warriors as part of a four-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons.
March 6, 2024: Surpasses 1,000 Career Points
Gary Payton II achieved a career milestone on March 6, 2024, when he surpassed 1,000 career points during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which the Warriors won 125-90.