Gary Payton is a well known basketball player who hails from the country of the United States of America. At present Gary Payton is a retired professional. He began his career as a basketball player at the position of point guard. He is immensely popular for his association with the Seattle Supersonics for 13 long years of his illustrious career.

It is there that he holds numerous records for the team including the records for points, steals and assists. In addition to this he also has represented the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat teams respectively. It was with Miami Heat that he won the NBA Championship as well.

Personal Life

Gary Payton was born as Gary Dwayne Payton on the 23rd of July, in the year 1968. Gary Payton was born in the city of Oakland, located in the state of California, in the country of the United States of America, thereby making him a citizen of the country by virtue of his birth. Gary Payton attended the Skyline High School which was in the city of Oakland itself and it was here that he played basketball along with Greg Foster, who himself is a former NBA professional.

At the Oregon State University, located in Coravallis, in the state of Oregon, his grades plummeted in the second year itself and he was soon declared ineligible academically. After encouragement from his father he was allowed back and in his 4 years at the Oregon State University, he went on to become the most popular and historic players at the University to ever play basketball.

Career

Gary Payton is widely regarded to be the best point guards in the history of the game. In fact, Gary Payton was the one and only point guard who went on to win the award of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He began his career at the very same position and his talent has led him to be nominated in the NBA All-Defense first team for 9 times. This is a record that he shares with Micheal Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.

Gary Payton was given the nickname, “The Glove” due to his defensive skills. It was with Miami Heat that he won the NBA Championship and Gary has also represented the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat teams respectively.