Lindy Waters III

Lindy Waters III
No. 43 – Golden State Warriors
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1997-07-28) July 28, 1997 (age 27)
Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeOklahoma State (2016–2020)
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021Enid Outlaws
2021–2022Oklahoma City Blue
2022–2024Oklahoma City Thunder
2022–2024→Oklahoma City Blue
2024–presentGolden State Warriors
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Lindy Waters III (born July 28, 1997) is a Kiowa-American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He was named a finalist for the NBA 2023–24 Social Justice Champion Award for the work his foundation does to support Native American youth through sports, health and wellness.[1]

Early life

Waters was born on July 28, 1997, to Lindy Waters Jr. and Lisa Waters.[2] Waters attended Norman North High School. During his senior year, he posed for a picture with an airsoft gun after losing a bet with friends. Waters was expelled after the incident and transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy. After several months, he was allowed to return to Norman North and re-joined the basketball team, helping the team reach the state title game.[3] In November 2015, Waters committed to playing college basketball for Oklahoma State.[4]

College career

During his freshman year, Waters sustained a concussion and a fractured foot that caused him to miss several games. He averaged 5.7 points per game on a team that reached the NCAA Tournament.[3] As a sophomore, Waters averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. In August 2018, he was named "Indian of the Year" by an Intertribal Council.[5] Waters averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as a junior.[6] As a senior, Waters averaged 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.[7]

Professional career

Enid Outlaws (2021)

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Waters signed with the Enid Outlaws of The Basketball League on March 31, 2021.[7] In 17 games, he averaged 12.6 points, 4.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game. On July 6, 2021, he signed with Palmer Alma Mediterránea of the LEB Oro.[8] However, the contract was voided on August 14 due to bureaucratic problems.[9]

Oklahoma City Thunder / Blue (2021–2024)

In October 2021, Waters joined the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League after a successful tryout.[10] He averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his first season for the Blue.

On February 10, 2022, Waters was signed to a two-way contract by his hometown team the Oklahoma City Thunder.[11]

On February 27, 2023, the Thunder converted Waters' deal into a multi-year standard contract.[12] He was assigned to the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League on March 2, 2023.[13] On August 18, the Thunder re-signed Waters III to a two-way contract after declining his team option[14] and on February 9, 2024, he signed a multi-year contract with the Thunder.[15]

Golden State Warriors (2024–present)

On June 27, 2024, the Golden State Warriors traded their 52nd draft pick for Waters III, however they re-acquired the pick just hours later, in exchange for cash compensation.[16]

During a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Waters hit a game-winning buzzer beater on October 5, 2024. This was his first career buzzer beating game-winner.[17]

On October 29, 2024, Waters scored a season-high 21 points, along with 8 rebounds in a blowout victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.[18]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Oklahoma City 25 1 18.6 .406 .363 .800 2.9 1.0 .8 .3 8.0
2022–23 Oklahoma City 41 0 12.9 .393 .358 .800 1.8 .7 .3 .3 5.2
2023–24 Oklahoma City 38 0 7.4 .471 .435 1.000 1.1 .6 .1 .2 3.6
2024–25 Golden State 4 0 11 .684 .583 1.000 2.5 1.25 .5 .0 8.75
Career 104 1 12.3 .416 .377 .815 1.8 .7 .4 .3 5.3

Play-in

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023 Oklahoma City 2 0 10.5 .286 .167 — 1.5 1.0 .5 .0 2.5
Career 2 0 10.5 .286 .167 — 1.5 1.0 .5 .0 2.5

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2024 Oklahoma City 3 0 2.8 .000 .000 — .3 .0 .0 .0 .0
Career 3 0 2.8 .000 .000 — .3 .0 .0 .0 .0

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Oklahoma State 23 12 16.0 .495 .442 .714 1.8 .8 .6 .0 5.7
2017–18 Oklahoma State 35 31 27.1 .443 .373 .768 3.7 2.0 .9 .4 8.7
2018–19 Oklahoma State 32 32 33.8 .437 .448 .878 4.2 2.8 1.3 .2 12.2
2019–20 Oklahoma State 31 30 31.7 .381 .317 .825 4.2 2.4 1.2 .1 10.5
Career 121 105 27.9 .427 .390 .817 3.6 2.1 1.0 .2 9.5

Personal life

Waters is an enrolled citizen of the Kiowa tribe and he is also of Cherokee Nation descent.[10][19]

References

  1. ^ "Border politics in Arizona". ICT News. May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Gallo, Nick (March 10, 2022). "Honoring the Native Tradition - Lindy Waters III's Connection to His People". okcthunder.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Scarborough, Alex (February 8, 2019). "Lindy Waters III and how to make the most of a second chance". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Mayberry, Darnell (November 6, 2015). "Former Norman North guard Lindy Waters commits to OSU". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Lancaster, Zach (August 20, 2018). "Lindy Waters Named Indian Of The Year By Intertribal Council". 247 Sports. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "Oklahoma State guard Waters wants to open doors for Native American players". Intertribal Athletics. September 26, 2019. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Outlaws sign former Cowboy Lindy Waters III". Enid News & Eagle. March 31, 2021. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "El Palmer Palma ficha al norteamericano Lindy Waters". Diario de Mallorca (in Spanish). July 6, 2021. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  9. ^ "Rescisión del contrato de Lindy Waters III". Bahiasanagustin.es (in Spanish). August 14, 2021. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Honoring the Native Tradition - Lindy Waters III's Connection to His People". NBA.com. November 20, 2021. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  11. ^ "Thunder Signs Lindy Waters III to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. February 10, 2022. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  12. ^ "Thunder Signs Lindy Waters III to Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  13. ^ "OKC Thunder news: Lindy Waters III assigned to G League's OKC Blue". Yahoo.com. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  14. ^ "Thunder Signs Lindy Waters III to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Thunder Signs Lindy Waters III to Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "Warriors Acquire Guard Lindy Waters III From Thunder". NBA.com. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  17. ^ "Former Thunder Guard Dominates Preseason Opener With Viral Buzzer Beater". Oklahoma City Thunder On SI. October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  18. ^ "What we learned as Podz, Waters fuel Warriors' comeback win vs. Pels". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "Why Native American heritage fuels newest Warrior Waters". NBC Sports Bay Area. Retrieved September 9, 2024.