Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Gary Payton II (1) drives against Virginia Commonwealth Rams forward Mo Alie-Cox (12) in the first half during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Gary Payton II followed in his famous father’s footstep by attending college at Oregon State. Now he would like to become the next one in the family to play in the NBA.
Payton went undrafted in Thursday’s NBA draft but will get a chance to make a roster as the Houston Rockets signed him to a three-year contract.
Payton isn’t on the same level as his Hall of Fame father but he does possess the same type of defensive tenacity.
He was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in both his seasons at Oregon State. He also led the Beavers in scoring (16.0), rebounding (7.8) assists (5.0) and steals (2.5) last season when the school qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since his father led them there in 1990.
The Rockets also reportedly reached agreement on three-year deals with Texas point guard Isaiah Taylor and Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer.
Other deals reached by undrafted players:
–The Washington Wizards, who didn’t have a draft pick on Thursday night, agreed to terms with four players: Villanova center Daniel Ochefu, Texas A&M swingman Danuel House, Miami guard Sheldon McClellan and Arizona center Kaleb Tarczewski.
–The Brooklyn Nets agreed to a deal with Indiana guard Yogi Ferrell.
–The New York Knicks agreed to a one-year contract with Wichita State guard Ron Baker.
–The Golden State Warriors agreed to terms with Maryland center Robert Carter and invited 7-foot-6 UC Irvine center Mamadou Ndiaye to play for their summer league team in hopes of landing a roster spot.
–The Philadelphia 76ers agreed to a two-year deal with Boise State forward James Webb III.
–The New Orleans Pelicans invited North Carolina State guard Anthony “Cat” Barber to play for their summer league team.
–The Orlando Magic invited Kentucky forward Alex Poythress to play for their summer league squad.
–The Toronto Raptors invited Wichita State point guard Fred VanVleet to play for their summer league team.
