| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Gary Dwayne Payton II |
| Birthday: | December 1, 1992 (age 33 years), Born in Seattle, Washington |
| Height: | 6'2" (188 cm) |
| Education: | Spring Valley High School (Diploma) Westwind Preparatory Academy (No Degree) Salt Lake Community College (No Degree), Business Oregon State University (BS), Human Development and Family Sciences |
Overview
Gary Dwayne Payton II is an American professional basketball player, son of NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton, recognized for his defensive prowess, a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, G League Defensive Player of the Year, and an NBA champion.
Latest News (Feb 12, 2026): Gary Payton II is currently listed as questionable with foot soreness after providing essential defensive energy and scoring in recent victories over the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies. Within the past week, Gary Payton II also garnered praise for his sportsmanship in assisting teammate Jimmy Butler off the court following an injury and for his dedicated fan interactions.
Early Life and Family
Gary Dwayne Payton II was born on December 1, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, to Gary Payton and Monique James. His father is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who won an NBA championship in 2006. Payton II’s mother also played college basketball. He has two siblings, Julian and Raquel.
Payton II attended Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he played basketball for two years and also competed in swimming for a year, graduating in 2011. He then attended Westwind Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, for the 2011–12 academic year. He was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age.
College Career
Payton II began his collegiate basketball career at Salt Lake Community College. In his freshman year (2012–13), he was named a First Team All-SWAC selection and a Region 18 All-Tournament Team member. As a sophomore, he earned Second Team NJCAA Division I All-American honors and was named the 2014 Region 18 Co-Player of the Year and Region 18 Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Following his two years at Salt Lake, Payton II transferred to Oregon State University, his father’s alma mater. In his two seasons with the Beavers, he was twice named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and was a two-time All-Pac-12 First Team selection.
Professional Beginnings
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft, Payton II signed a three-year contract with the Houston Rockets but was waived before the start of the season. He then joined their NBA Development League (now G League) affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Over the next few years, Payton II had stints with several NBA teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards, primarily on 10-day and two-way contracts. He spent a significant amount of time in the G League, playing for the Wisconsin Herd, South Bay Lakers, and Capital City Go-Go, in addition to multiple stints with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In 2021, while playing for the Raptors 905, he was named the NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year.
Breakout with the Golden State Warriors
In April 2021, Payton II signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors and was eventually signed for the remainder of the season. He secured the final roster spot for the 2021–22 season and emerged as a key defensive player for the team. His athleticism and defensive prowess earned him a regular spot in the rotation.
During the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Payton II played a crucial role in the Warriors’ championship run. Despite suffering a fractured elbow in the Western Conference Semifinals, he returned for the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, where his defensive efforts were instrumental in the Warriors winning the series. In Game 5 of the Finals, he scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds, and had three steals.
Stint with Portland and Return to Golden State
Following the championship season, Payton II signed a three-year, $28 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2022. He underwent offseason surgery and made his debut for the Trail Blazers in January 2023.
In February 2023, Payton II was traded back to the Golden State Warriors in a four-team deal. He continues to be a key defensive player for the team off the bench.
Personal Life
Payton II is known to be a private individual. He earned a degree in human development and family science from Oregon State University.