Gary Payton II’s parents influenced his journey through contrasting but complementary parenting styles.
Gary Payton II has carved out his own path in professional basketball, emerging from the shadow of his Hall of Fame father to become a defensive stalwart in the NBA.
Born on December 1, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, Payton II’s journey to the NBA was anything but conventional.
Unlike his father’s direct route to stardom, he faced numerous challenges, including playing at junior college and bouncing between multiple NBA teams before finding his footing with the Golden State Warriors.
His breakthrough came during the 2021-22 season with the Warriors, where he played a crucial role in their championship run.
Despite suffering a fractured elbow during the Western Conference semifinals, he returned to make significant contributions in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
The Warriors’ victory was particularly meaningful as it made Gary II and his father the fifth father-son duo to win NBA championships, joining an elite group that includes his teammate Klay Thompson and his father, Mychal.
GP2’s Parents, Gary Sr., And Monique Remained Actively Involved In His Development
Gary Dwayne Payton Sr., an NBA Hall of Famer and one of basketball’s most legendary figures, brought both pressure and privilege to his son’s life.
Known as “The Glove” for his defensive mastery, the elder Payton initially took a tough-love approach to his son’s basketball development.
During GP2’s college years, he openly expressed disappointment in his son’s performance, even stating that he didn’t belong at any level in basketball.
This harsh criticism, while difficult for GP2 to handle at the time, ultimately served as powerful motivation.
The father’s approach was rooted in his own upbringing in Oakland, California, where he learned basketball under the strict guidance of his father, Al “Mr. Mean” Payton.
This generational toughness became a defining characteristic of the Payton family’s basketball legacy.
However, the relationship between father and son evolved significantly over time.
In a touching moment during GP2’s fundraiser for dyslexia at Eleven Eleven Winery, the elder Payton surprised everyone by publicly expressing his pride in his son, not just for his basketball achievements but for being “a great human being.“
Monique James Payton’s influence on GP2’s athletic abilities has been profound yet often overlooked.
A standout athlete in her own right, she excelled at Skyline High School in Oakland, California, where she dominated both basketball and track and field.
Her athletic prowess was particularly evident at Merritt College from 1985-87, where she left an indelible mark on the women’s basketball program.
Her achievements include setting a school record with 15 steals in a single game, and she still ranks third in school history with 291 career steals.
As a player, Monique’s vertical leap was measured at nearly 30 inches, and she demonstrated exceptional speed in multiple track events, including the 100-meter, 200-meter, hurdles, long jump, and high jump.
These athletic traits were clearly passed down to GP2, particularly evident in his explosive dunking ability and defensive agility.
Beyond athletics, Monique has been GP2’s emotional anchor throughout his career.
Working as a flight attendant based in Las Vegas, she has managed to balance her career while being her son’s biggest supporter.
She’s known for sending daily text messages of encouragement, especially during his challenging years bouncing between the G League and various NBA teams.
Her support was particularly crucial when GP2 faced repeated setbacks, reminding him to persevere and stay focused on his dreams.
While GP2’s parents divorced in 2012, both remained actively involved in his development.
The family dynamic, though complicated, worked to create a balanced support system.
Monique often provided the nurturing encouragement that counterbalanced Gary Sr.’s tough-love approach.
She was the one who gave GP2 permission to establish his own identity, famously telling him to respond to comparisons to his father by saying,
“I am not my f—ing dad. I am who I am.”
Via andscape
The impact of both parents is evident in GP2’s playing style today.
He combines his father’s defensive intensity and basketball IQ with his mother’s exceptional athleticism.
This unique blend of inherited traits, coupled with the contrasting but complementary parenting styles of Gary Sr. and Monique, has helped shape GP2 into not just a successful NBA player but also, as his father proudly notes,
“a great human being.”
Via andscape
Their ongoing influence continues to shape GP2’s career, with Monique frequently attending games and Gary Sr. providing basketball insights.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- During his early athletic career, Gary Payton II was quite versatile – he not only played basketball but also participated in swimming and briefly tried water polo in his youth.
- Before embracing his current nickname, “Young Glove,” he actually preferred to go by his middle name, “Dwayne,” during his time at Salt Lake Community College, trying to establish his own identity away from his father’s legacy.
- In a recent accomplishment, he successfully organized a fundraiser called “Pouring Possibilities: A Fundraiser Mixer Benefitting Dyslexia,” which exceeded expectations by raising more than $80,000, surpassing the initial goal of $50,000.