Gary Payton - Basketball

Oregon State legend, NBA ironman.

A shining legacy for one of the most popular basketball players
ever in the Northwest.

Gary Payton came to Corvallis from Skyline High School in Oakland, largely an unknown quantity. But that didn’t last long. The development of Gary Payton may have been Ralph Miller’s last great bit of coaching at Oregon State.

The birth of “The glove” took place during Payton’s freshman year as was given and gladly accepted more and more control of the Beavers on the floor.

That famous lockdown defense combined with a relentless ability to attack the basket would re-write the record books. G.P. set OSU career records for scoring, shooting, 3-point fi eld goals, assists and steals.

The Beavers qualifi ed for post-season three times and Payton stole the show at the Far West Classic, winning MVP honors three times at the holiday tradition.

By the time Payton’s college career ended, everyone know who he was, Sports Illustrated made him their 1990 national player of
the year.

Gary was the 2nd selection of the 1990 draft by the Seattle Supersonics, the team he would spend most of his 17 year career with. The legend of “The Glove” was honored nine time on the
NBA all-defensive team.

In the Sonics dramatic run to the 1996 NBA finals, Payton was named defensive player of the year a first for a point guard.

Gary just missed winning a title with the Sonics but would get a championship ring after joining the Heat in 2006.

Payton also won a gold medal twice, representing the USA at the summer games.

By the end of his career, GP also showed another side.. Longevity. Payton retired as one of the top 10 all time in games and minutes played. His impressive career averages also included 46% shooting 32% 3-point percentage and 6.7 assists.

Now a popular broadcaster, he continues to work in the community. The Gary Payton Foundation raises funds for children’s charities and HIV research.