What is Gary Payton doing now?

Gary Payton was known to basketball fans as one of the best players in NBA history, earning and carving a name for himself as one of the best point guards of all time. He has inspired thousands of NBA fans and basketball players to become great on the field. His son is currently following in his footsteps as a player under the Golden State Warriors.

However, many people are wondering what he is up to at the moment, with his son earning accolades and carving his own niche in the sport. Where is Gary Payton now? This article will talk about his current whereabouts and a short refresher of who he was for the new basketball fans.

Where is Gary Payton Now?

When he retired from the basketball scene in 2007, he has made several appearances on the court as a sports analyst for NBA TV in 2008 and 2009. In 2013, he worked as an analyst for Fox Sport 1, appearing on Fox Sports Live.

He is also active in different sports aside from basketball, appearing in 2016 to provide weekly updates for Sports Betting Dime in the 2016 NFL season.

Becoming a coach

As of 2021, he has returned to the basketball court, but not as a player. He is the newest basketball coach for Lincoln University’s men’s basketball team, where he coaches basketball players with strong ties to the NBA, such as the grandson of Al Attles, the Hall of Famer from the Golden State Warriors, and the younger brother of Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.

He hopes to carve his mark as a basketball coach this time, and “The Glove” has never lost his shine, leaving newer players impressed with his nimble and top-notch defense abilities.

When asked by reporters why he took on the role, Payton said that it is the only thing he can at least do for his hometown, which shows his unwavering loyalty to Oakland, his hometown, even though he has played in four different teams throughout his basketball career in the NBA.

This is the first time Lincoln University has included collegiate athletics throughout its 101 years of existence. Gary Payton is optimistic that he will be instrumental in bringing great results to the team and his hometown in Oakland.

Everyone is excited to see how “The Glove” will coach his team to success and bring forth new heights in the collegiate basketball field.

Gary Payton Revisited

Gary Payton was nicknamed “The Glove” because of his impressive defense tactics. He played under four teams during his time in the NBA: the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics.

He also has the notable distinction of being the only point guard in the entire history of the NBA to be honored with the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1996. He also shares the same number of awards as other basketball legends like the late Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Kevin Garnett.

Aside from his illustrious NBA streak, he also had a legendary stint as a member of the United States Olympic basketball team, having won the gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2000 Summer Olympics in Athens. He also had an impressive stint in the FIBA Americas Championships.

Gary Payton was known to be one of the best point guards of all time, earning him a spot in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, a legendary team composed of equally legendary players in commemoration of the association’s Diamond Anniversary.

Outside the court, he has also appeared in several movies, and TV shows, notably in Like Mike, and has been an active name in various charities and community events.

He has a son named Gary Payton II, who is currently playing under Golden State Warriors as a point guard like his father. He also has a son named Brandon, who played professionally in New Zealand for a short time.

Conclusion

Gary Payton has left a lasting mark with his stellar records in the NBA and the Olympics. Many people are excited about his new endeavor as a coach to the Lincoln University men’s basketball team. Many are looking forward to seeing “The Glove” back in the game — not as a player but as a coach.