Adding game to their names
He has the first and last name of his more famous father, an NBA Hall of Famer who mean-mugged his way through 17 seasons.
But Gary Payton II isn’t trying to let his dad’s name determine his fate.
Payton seeks to make his own name, hoping his skills from playing at Oregon State and his talent in the pre-draft workout Wednesday are what attracted the Clippers to him.
He’s a point guard, like his dad was, but Payton said he doesn’t “talk trash” like his father.
“Just enjoy the process,” Payton said was the advice his dad gave him. “Have fun with it, but also work hard in between. Shoot the ball well. The game has changed . ... It’s a bunch of spread offense, guys knocking down shots. Get shots up and be confident and go out there and compete.”
Payton wasn’t the only one of the six players the Clippers worked out who has a known name.
Marshall Plumlee, a 7foot center from Duke, has two brothers who play in the NBA. Mason Plumlee is the starting center for the Portland Trail Blazers; Miles Plumlee is a forward/center for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Marshall Plumlee, who said his goal is to pursue a “professional basketball career” but also to be in the Army Reserve, has leaned on both brothers in this process.
“My brothers are a tremendous resource,” Plumlee said. “I’m able to hit them up for advice all the time. They are very available. And we’re so proud of each other, just wanting one another to do well. So they don’t give me meaningless feedback.”
A.J. English III also has been able to talk to family about the NBA.
His father, A.J. English II, played two years in the NBA, but the 6-3 guard from Iona says he knows he has to show his talents to the Clippers and other teams.
“Maybe because I’m from a mid-major [college], every time I have to step on the court, I’ve got to prove myself,” English said. “So whether it’s in the workouts, at Portsmouth [Invitational Tournament] or the [NBA] combine, I feel like I have to prove myself.”
The Clippers, who have a first-round (25th) and second-round pick (33rd), worked out all four-year college players, who say they hope that having a mature game, body and mental approach will help them.
“I think my maturity, for sure. Having a rookie that’s going to adapt quickly, is going to know his role, is going to play to his fullest and push other guys every day in practice and has a high IQ and knows how to play the game,” 6-5 shooting guard Malcolm Brogdon, who played four years at Virginia, said of his strengths. “I think those are my assets.”