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Los Angeles Lakers: Meet two-way point guard Gary Payton II

By Shereen Rayan

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 15: Gary Payton II handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 15, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 15: Gary Payton II handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 15, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Gary Payton II signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers last week, and in his first games, his skills and power on the floor became immediately quite clear.

A lot of Los Angeles Lakers fans were sad when they heard that the Lakers waived two-way guard Vander Blue. He works his way into hearts quickly with his play style and love of the game. For whatever reason, it wasn’t working out the way the Lakers wanted or needed, and we wish Vander the best of success and happiness in his life.

I had a blast cheering for Blue and getting to know him over the last two years. He is really a great guy along with a focused player who leaves it all on the floor. However, basketball is a business, so we move forward.

The name Gary Payton is synonymous with the NBA. Nicknamed The Glove for his lockdown defense, Payton was known to be able to guard Michael Jordan, and some suggested if he guarded him longer in the finals he could have helped his team beat Jordan for the Championship in 1996.

Payton, a 2006 NBA Champion and nine-time NBA All-Star, was a guard who played in the NBA for 18 years for five teams, including 13 seasons with the Seattle Supersonics and the Los Angeles Lakers. He amassed 21,813 points, 5,269 rebounds, 8,966 assists and 2445 steals in 1335 games.

I had to pause myself after typing that last sentence, wow! Payton senior, along with his wife Monique, a former long jumper, raised their son Gary Payton II to play the game of basketball in all the right ways.

Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers /

Los Angeles Lakers

Payton II started his college career playing in Junior College. He played two seasons in Salt Lake City, Utah at Salt Lake Community College. Payton II averaged 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in his 2012–13 freshman season.

He led the Bruins to a 29-5 overall record and Region 18 Championship with a 14-1 record in the SWAC (Scenic West Athletic Conference).

Payton II moved onto Oregon State University, his father’s alma mater, starting as a Junior, under head coach Wayne Tinkle. At OSU he was the star of the team.

Honors earned at Oregon State:

  • AP Honorable Mention All-American (2016)
  • 2× First-team All-Pac-12 (2015, 2016)
  • 2× Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)
  • 2× Pac-12 All-Defensive Team (2015, 2016)
  • Wooden Award (2016)
  • Only the second Beaver ever to earn a triple-double
  • Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week

Junior Season Top 10 Pac-12:

  • Steals 95 (1st)
  • Field Goal percentage .485 (3rd)
  • Defensive rebounds 167 (8th)
  • Total Rebounds 231 (9th) Per game 7.5 (4th)
  • Minutes played 1125 (10th)
  • Block percentage 4.6 (8th)

Senior Season Top 10 Pac-12:

  • Points 511 (9th)
  • Steals 80 (1st)
  • Field Goals 205 (4th)
  • Field Goals 2-Points 205 (4th)
  • Field Goal percentage .486 (8th)
  • Defensive rebounds 174 (8th)
  • Total Rebounds 251 (10th) per game 7.8 (9th)
  • Plus/Minus 12.5 (1st)
Gary Payton II – Per Game Table
SeasonGGSMPFG2P3PFTTRBASTSTLBLKPTS
2014-15313036.35.24.40.92.17.53.23.11.213.4
2015-16323234.36.45.70.72.57.85.02.50.516.0
Career636235.35.85.00.82.37.74.12.80.814.7

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2018.

Highlights from Payton Jr.’s senior season:

After he slain the Pac-12, Payton II moved on to the 2016 NBA Draft where he went undrafted, but joined the Houston Rockets for the 2016 NBA Summer League and played with the team through the preseason until waved. He was picked up by the Houston Rockets G-League affiliate, Rio Grande Vipers coached by Lute Olson’s grandson Matt Brase (Arizona).

If you keep up with the G-League, you will remember last season Payton II took it to the then D-Fenders. On December 3, 2016, he scored 51 points (20-29) and 11 rebounds helping the Vipers beat Los Angeles 140-125 in front of his father who sat courtside and trash-talked Vander Blue for most of the game.

Blue enjoyed the banter and made his own jabs. That was the first time I met The Glove. The next time was after his son made his debut as a South Bay Laker.

Payton II is playing for SB Lakers head coach Coby Karl. Payton Sr. played for Coby’s father George Karl on the Seattle Supersonics. Coby and Gary Jr. have known each other a long time, so this is kind of a reunion of sorts and a special relationship that will grow over time.

In Friday’s début against the Windy City Bulls, Payton II earned himself a triple-double. On Sunday, after a loss to the Oklahoma City Blue, we got a chance to catch up with new Lakers two-way player. Here is the interview:

Next: Lakers 10 Greatest Draft Picks of All-Time

Payton II has already played with the Lakers and made the most of his minutes. The sky’s the limit for this young, versatile player who loves to dunk, but can dish it out and play touch defense better than a lot of players in the G-League. He and Scott Machado make a great duo on the court.

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