It’s been awhile since we heard the name Gary Payton, undeniably one of the NBA’s all time greatest floor generals and best defensive playmakers at the point guard position.
True, he’s made a few media appearances since his rather interesting 2013 Naismith Hall of Fame speech, but he will forever be known affectionately as “The Glove” for his staunch defense and his prolific trash talking talents on the hardwood.
Payton was once a collegiate star at Oregon State, earning NCAA All American honors in 1990, and becoming a Beavers’ legend by dropping the only triple-double in school history, a 20 point, 14 rebound, and 11 assist masterpiece back in 1988.
But when fast forwarding to 2014, the Hall of Famer’s son Gary Payton II, is now the king of the hardwood for the Oregon State Beavers, leading the team in scoring(13.4), rebounding(9.7), and steals(2.6), helping Oregon State get out to a 7-2 start.
Payton II was a big steal in recruiting for new OSU head coach Wayne Tinkle, who replaced President Obama’s brother-in-law Craig Robinson, signing the 6’3 junior guard who previously starred at Salt Lake Community College in Nevada.
During the Beavers’ most recent win over Grambling State, Payton II made Oregon State history, becoming just the 2nd player in school history to tally a triple-double, putting up 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in the 71-43 victory.
Quite the accomplishment for both GP and GPII…
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
