Gary Payton

Full Name: Gary Dwayne Payton

Nickname: The Glove

Position: Point Guard

Height: 6’4″

College: Oregon State University

NBA Draft: 1990, 1st Round (2nd Overall) by the Seattle SuperSonics

Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2013)

College Career (Oregon State University, 1986–1990)

Points: 2,172 (17.1 PPG)

Assists: 938 (7.4 APG)

Achievements:

Consensus First-Team All-American (1990)

Pac-10 Player of the Year (1990)

Led Oregon State to three NCAA Tournament appearances

Holds numerous school records, including points, assists, and steals

NBA Career (1990–2007)

Teams:

Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)

Milwaukee Bucks (2003)

Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)

Boston Celtics (2004–2005)

Miami Heat (2005–2007)

Career Achievements:

1× NBA Champion (2006, with Miami Heat)

9× NBA All-Star (1994–1998, 2000–2003)

NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1996)

9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1994–2002)

2× All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000)

5× All-NBA Second Team (1995–1997, 1999, 2002)

2× All-NBA Third Team (1994, 2001)

NBA Steals Leader (1996)

Career Points: 21,813 (16.3 PPG)

Career Assists: 8,966 (6.7 APG)

Career Steals: 2,445 (1.8 SPG)

Signature Moments:

1996 NBA Finals: Led the Seattle SuperSonics against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, earning praise for his intense defense on Jordan.

Defensive Mastery: Only point guard in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award (1996).

2006 NBA Championship: Won his first and only NBA title as a veteran leader with the Miami Heat, playing alongside Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.

Trash-Talking Legend: Known for his intense, competitive demeanor and relentless trash talk on the court.

Playing Style:

Gary Payton was renowned for his ferocious perimeter defense, earning the nickname The Glove for his ability to lock down opposing guards. He was also an elite playmaker, clutch scorer, and one of the best two-way point guards in NBA history. His tenacity and leadership made him a franchise cornerstone for over a decade with the SuperSonics.

Hall of Fame Inductions

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2013)

Inducted for his legendary NBA career as one of the greatest point guards and defenders in basketball history.

Oregon Sports Hall of Fame (1999)

Honored for his collegiate achievements at Oregon State University and impact on basketball in the state.

College Basketball Hall of Fame (2019)

Recognized for his remarkable college career at Oregon State University, where he set numerous school records and was a consensus All-American.

Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (2018)

Celebrated for his contributions to basketball and his roots in the Bay Area, growing up in Oakland, California.

Pac-12 Hall of Honor (Induction Year: 2003)

Inducted as part of the Pac-12 conference’s effort to recognize the greatest athletes in its history.

Legacy:

Seattle SuperSonics Legend: Holds franchise records for points, assists, and steals.

Defensive Standard: Set the benchmark for defensive excellence among point guards.

NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021)

Jersey No. 20 retired by the Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder)

Gary Payton remains an iconic figure in basketball, remembered as one of the greatest defenders, playmakers, and trash-talkers in NBA history.