PAYTON II NAMED NBA G LEAGUE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The NBA G League announced today that Raptors 905 guard Gary Payton II has been named the 2020-21 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year.  He is the third player in franchise history to receive the award following Edy Tavares (2017) and Chris Boucher (2019).

Selected 15^th overall in the 2021 NBA G League Draft by Raptors 905, Payton II led the NBA G League with 2.54 steals per game and was second overall with 33 total steals.  He posted seven steals in a game twice, tying his regular-season career high and the Raptors 905 franchise record. His career 2.4 steals per game in the NBA G League places him second in league history, behind Briante Weber (2.74).  Payton’s efforts helped guide the 905 to a G League best 12-3 record, earning the number one seed in the 2021 NBA G League Playoffs. The Oregon State product closed the season averaging 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 13 contests. Payton adds this award to his 2019 NBA G League All-Defensive First Team and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016.

The award was voted on by head coaches and general managers whose teams participated in the 2021 NBA G League season. Lakeland Magic guard Tahjere McCall and forward Mamadi Diakite finished in second and third place, respectively, in voting for the 2020-21 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year Award.