Gary Payton

Date of Birth: July 23, 1968

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Biography

Gary Dwayne Payton, born July 23, 1968, in Oakland, California, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards and defenders of all time. Payton played the majority of his 17-year NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics, where he earned the nickname “The Glove” for his defensive prowess. He was known for his tenacity, trash-talking, and all-around skills on the court. Payton attended Oregon State University, where he became one of the best players in college basketball and earned All-American honors. He was selected as the second overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. Over his career, he was a nine-time NBA All-Star, a nine-time All-Defensive First Team member, and the 1996 NBA Defensive Player of the Year—the only point guard to win this award. In addition to his time with the SuperSonics, Payton also played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat, with whom he won an NBA Championship in 2006. After retiring from professional basketball, Payton has been involved in various ventures, including sports commentary and philanthropic efforts.

5 Interesting Facts about Gary Payton

1. Gary Payton is the only point guard to have won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

2. He is considered one of the best trash-talkers in NBA history, often using his verbal skills to gain a psychological edge over opponents.

3. Payton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

4. He was a key player for the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team, winning gold medals in both the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

5. Payton’s jersey number 20 was retired by the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder organization.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gary Payton

1. “You don’t play against opponents, you play against the game of basketball.”

2. “My game was raw, it was rugged, and it was real.”

3. “Defense is all about attitude. You have to want to stop your man.”

4. “I always wanted to be the best, and I knew that meant working harder than anyone else.”

5. “I brought my lunch pail to work every day. I was going to outwork you.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Gary Payton is estimated to be around $50 million.

Children

Gary Payton has three children: Gary Payton II, Raquel Payton, and Julian Payton. Gary Payton II has followed in his father’s footsteps and is also a professional basketball player, currently playing in the NBA.