Gary Payton Sr. to coach College of Alameda men’s basketball team

ALAMEDA, Calif. ( KRON ) — The College of Alameda recently announced the hiring of NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton, “The Glove,” as the junior college’s new men’s basketball team coach.

College of Alameda President Melanie Dixon announced the hiring of Payton on Friday. “Our Athletic Program has two exciting new additions to our coaching team, which
will no doubt drum up excitement on the Island,” she said.

Payton inherits a program that went 7-21 last season while playing in the Bay Valley Conference. The junior college expressed confidence in hiring “the best defensive point guard of all time” and a native who is aware of and involved in engaging local youth.

Dixon says Payton engages in “extensive community work,” offering youth basketball camps and “transforming the lives of the youth” in Oakland, where the former Seattle SuperSonics player was born and attended school at Oakland’s Skyline High School.

The Oakland native will be based out of the Bay Area after being named the BIG3 Coach of The Year with Bivouac. He’ll also be in the same area as his son Gary Payton Jr., who plays for the Golden State Warriors.

Payton, 56, was a nine-time NBA All-Star selection during his seventeen-year NBA career. In 1995-96, Payton was selected as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first point guard to receive this award.

Payton most recently won himself the BIG3 Coach Of The Year award after winning the 2024 championships.

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