Gary Payton II of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers has been named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Dec. 4.
Payton II (6-3, 190, Oregon State) helped Rio Grande Valley to a 2-0 week behind averages of 33.0 points (second in the league), 10.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals. On Dec. 1, he had 15 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals in a 103-83 win over the Reno Bighorns. He closed his week on Dec. 3, scoring an NBA D-League season-high 51 points on 20-of-29 shooting to go with 11 rebounds and three assists in a 140-125 victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
Payton II is averaging 16.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals in his first NBA D-League season. He also has four double-doubles in nine games.
Other top performers considered included Erie’s TJ Price, Fort Wayne’s Travis Leslie, Maine’s Demetrius Jackson, Northern Arizona’s Derrick Jones Jr., Oklahoma City’s Dakari Johnson, Sioux Falls’ Briante Weber, Texas’ Pierre Jackson and Windy City’s Aaron Thomas.
