NBA

Gary Payton heading to Hall of Fame

Apr 4, 2013, 10:38 AM | Updated: Apr 5, 2013, 10:43 am

While investors and city officials work to bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle, one of the iconic players from the franchise’s past is receiving basketball’s highest individual honor.

Sonics great Gary Payton will be elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, according to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
The class will be announced Monday. Payton, on the ballot for the first time, was one of 12 finalists.

“Thanks for the love everyone….incredible honor, couldnt have done it without my great fans who backed me n motivated me thru-out my career,” Payton tweeted Friday.

Payton was a nine-time All Star during his 17 NBA seasons, 13 of which he spent in Seattle. Nicknamed “The Glove” for his stifling defense, Payton made the All-Defensive First Team nine times and ranks fourth all-time in steals. He’s also eighth in career assists.

Payton’s resume also includes an NBA championship and a pair of Olympic Gold medals.

The 2013 inductees will be enshrined in September.

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Gary Payton heading to Hall of Fame