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 grew up around the game as the son of Hall of Famer Gary Payton. He is sometimes called “Young Glove” in reference to his father’s famous nickname, “the Glove,” and is also commonly referred to as “GP2.”
Payton II earned recognition at Oregon State as a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. After going undrafted in 2016, he worked his way through the NBA G League and short stints with several teams before finding a home in Golden State, where he won his first NBA championship in 2022. He is widely respected as a perimeter defender and hustle player.
Early Life and Background
Gary Dwayne Payton II was born on December 1, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, to Monique Payton and Gary Payton. His father was a member of the Seattle SuperSonics at the time of his birth and would later be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Growing up in Seattle, Payton II was surrounded by the game from an early age and learned the craft of perimeter defense alongside his father.
Payton attended Spring Valley High School, where he lettered two years in basketball and one year in swimming before graduating in 2011. He then enrolled at Westwind Preparatory Academy for the 2011-12 season to further sharpen his game. The family basketball pedigree, combined with strong prep coaching, helped shape his defensive identity as a young player.
Path to Basketball
After high school, Payton II played two seasons at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 overall record and an outright Scenic West Athletic Conference title. In his sophomore year, he averaged 14.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, earning Second Team NJCAA Division I All-American honors and Region 18 Co-Player of the Year recognition.
During his sophomore year at Salt Lake CC, Payton II signed a letter of intent to play for Oregon State, his father’s alma mater, under coach Craig Robinson. When Robinson was fired, Wayne Tinkle took over and led a Beavers team that exceeded expectations. In his first season at Oregon State, Payton II led the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals, earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team. As a senior in 2015-16, he repeated as Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and earned AP Honorable Mention All-American honors.
Gary Payton II Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Payton II joined the Houston Rockets for Summer League and signed with the team in September 2016. He appeared in six preseason games before being waived in October. He was quickly acquired by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Rockets.
With the Vipers, Payton II showed flashes of his scoring ability, including a 51-point performance on 20-of-29 shooting against the Los Angeles D-Fenders on December 3, 2016. That performance highlighted the offensive upside that complemented his defensive reputation.
Milwaukee Bucks (2017)
On April 2, 2017, Payton II signed with the Milwaukee Bucks and made his debut that night, scoring five points in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He was waived in October as part of final preseason roster cuts, then re-signed to a two-way contract via the Wisconsin Herd. He earned his first NBA start on November 22, 2017, against the Phoenix Suns at small forward.
Payton II was waived by Milwaukee in December 2017 to make room on the roster. The brief stint gave him valuable NBA experience and exposure to a contending environment.
Los Angeles Lakers (2018)
On January 15, 2018, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Payton II to a two-way contract, splitting time between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. In the season finale against the Los Angeles Clippers, he scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds.
Payton II also made a small piece of Lakers history as the last Laker to wear jersey number 23 before LeBron James arrived. He was waived later that summer.
Washington Wizards (2019)
Payton II signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards on January 21, 2019, and made his debut the next day in a win over the Detroit Pistons. He was not offered a second 10-day deal and was released. He later returned to the Wizards in December 2019, but his time in Washington was brief and interrupted by a positive COVID-19 test in July 2020.
Golden State Warriors Breakthrough (2021-2022)
On April 8, 2021, Payton II signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors and later signed for the rest of the season and the following year. After being waived before the 2021-22 season, he was re-signed in October 2021 and broke out as a defensive specialist. He started the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, fracturing his left elbow on a fast-break layup in Game 2.
Payton II returned to play a major role in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, posting 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals in a Game 5 win. Golden State captured the championship in Game 6, and Payton II won his first NBA title, joining his father as part of the fifth father-son duo to win an NBA championship.
Portland Trail Blazers (2022-2023)
On July 6, 2022, Payton II signed a three-year, $28 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. He underwent offseason core muscle surgery that sidelined him for months, and he made his Blazers debut on January 2, 2023, finishing with seven points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal in a win over the Detroit Pistons.
Return to Golden State (2023-Present)
On February 9, 2023, Payton II was traded back to the Golden State Warriors in a four-team deal involving Atlanta and Detroit. He made his return debut on March 26, 2023, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. On March 6, 2024, he surpassed 1,000 career points in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. On September 29, 2025, he re-signed with the Warriors.
Driving Style and Strengths
Payton II built his reputation as a relentless perimeter defender whose speed, strength, and instincts make him a disruptive on-ball presence. He excels at chasing down plays in transition, generating steals, and guarding multiple positions. Offensively, he thrives as a cutter and finisher around the rim rather than as a primary scorer.
Notable Events and Milestones
His 51-point outburst in the G League in 2016 announced his scoring ceiling, while his Game 5 Finals performance in 2022 cemented his championship pedigree. Reaching 1,000 career points in 2024 and re-signing with Golden State in 2025 further solidified his role as a trusted veteran.
Gary Payton II Career Wins
Gary Dwayne Payton II has accumulated wins across multiple NBA G League affiliates and earned his first NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. His career has been defined more by defensive impact and longevity than by headline win totals, but his championship ring remains the signature achievement of his career.
NBA Championship Highlights
Payton II won the 2022 NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors, contributing key minutes in the Finals against the Boston Celtics. His Game 5 line of 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals, along with a major defensive role in the closeout Game 6, were defining moments of the series.
Other Wins and Performances
At the NBA G League level, Payton II earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 with Raptors 905, where he averaged 2.54 steals per game. He also won Region 18 Championships with Salt Lake Community College in 2013 and 2014.
Gary Payton II Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Gary Dwayne Payton II is the son of Monique Payton and Gary Payton, the Hall of Fame point guard who spent the bulk of his career with the Seattle SuperSonics. The family connection to the game runs deep, and Payton II often credits his father as a major influence on his defensive approach and basketball IQ.
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. He remains active off the court in business and entrepreneurial ventures tied to his public profile.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs, Payton II scored a playoff career-high 16 points on April 26, 2025, against the Houston Rockets, helping Golden State take a 2-1 series lead in the first round. The performance reinforced his value as a spark off the bench during high-leverage stretches.
Following the season, Payton II re-signed with the Warriors on September 29, 2025, signaling the franchise’s continued confidence in his defensive role and veteran leadership. His ongoing contract, which runs through 2026, provides stability on both sides.
Looking ahead, Payton II is expected to remain a key defensive piece for Golden State as the team builds around its core. His combination of experience, defense, and energy off the bench gives the Warriors a reliable rotation option for the 2025-26 campaign.