SAN FRANCISCO — The NBA draft is supposed to bring nothing but happiness. Hugs. Celebrations. Tears of joy. It’s supposed to be nothing but a night to remember.
That’s only for a select few. In most years, 60 prospects get to revel in the moment and make lifelong memories. For many more, it’s a night to forget as the ultimate disappointment of others not believing in you.
Gary Payton II is part of that latter group. Sixteen years after his father was taken with the No. 2 overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1990 draft, Payton never heard his name called in the 2016 draft, despite being named the Pac-12’s Defensive Player of the Year in both his seasons at Oregon State.
So, his sister and executive director of the Gary Payton II Foundation, Raquel Payton Childs, threw him his dream draft party 10 years later. Only this party was for so many more than just Payton, and its impact goes past anything basketball can provide.
Draft Day ‘26 served as this year’s signature fundraiser for the Gary Payton II Foundation, which aims to empower children with dyslexia and bring support to...