OKLAHOMA CITY, OK –In a move that has sent shockwaves of excitement and introspection through the Oklahoma City basketball community, NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton, famously known as “The Glove,” has announced the funding of a sprawling $25 million youth basketball academy in Oklahoma City. The groundbreaking initiative aims to provide state-of-the-art training facilities, educational support, and mentorship to aspiring young athletes, all while creating a poignant bridge between the city’s complex basketball past – the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics championship legacy – and the present glory of the Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off their 2025 NBA Championship victory.
Payton, a Seattle icon whose illustrious 13-year tenure with the SuperSonics included leading them to the 1996 NBA Finals, has often been a symbol of the heartache felt by Seattle fans since the team’s controversial relocation to Oklahoma City in 2008.
His decision to invest so heavily in OKC’s youth basketball landscape is seen as a powerful gesture of reconciliation and a testament to his enduring love for the game and its future.
“This isn’t about where the team is now; it’s about the kids,” Payton stated passionately at a press conference packed with media, local dignitaries, and eager young basketball players. “Basketball gave me everything, and it’s time to give back in a big way. Oklahoma City has shown incredible passion for this sport, and with the Thunder bringing home a championship this year, the energy is undeniable. I want to build something here that honors the spirit of that 1979 championship team, the one that set the standard, and helps foster the next generation of talent for this city’s basketball future.”
The “Gary Payton Youth Basketball Academy” will be a multi-phase project, with initial plans for a sprawling complex featuring multiple basketball courts, strength and conditioning facilities, a media room, and dedicated academic support areas. Beyond basketball training, the academy will offer tutoring services, college preparatory courses, and life skills workshops, emphasizing holistic development for its participants. Payton himself has committed to being actively involved, promising regular visits and direct mentorship for the academy’s enrollees.
The $25 million funding comes primarily from Payton’s personal wealth, accumulated through his NBA career and subsequent business ventures, along with significant contributions from corporate sponsors who share his vision for youth development. This substantial investment marks one of the largest single philanthropic contributions by an individual athlete to a youth sports initiative in Oklahoma City’s history.
For many Thunder fans, the academy represents a full-circle moment. The deep-seated pride in the Thunder’s recent championship is now intertwined with a gesture from a SuperSonics legend, acknowledging the shared basketball lineage. The 1979 SuperSonics’ championship remains a significant part of NBA history, and Payton’s academy aims to educate young Oklahomans about that legacy while inspiring them towards future successes.
“It’s incredible to see ‘The Glove’ investing in our community,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “His legacy in basketball is undeniable, and his willingness to bridge the past with our city’s vibrant present, especially after our Thunder’s historic championship run this year, speaks volumes. This academy will be a cornerstone for youth development and a testament to the unifying power of sport.”
Construction on the academy is slated to begin in late 2025, with an anticipated opening in the summer of 2027. Recruiters and basketball enthusiasts are already envisioning the academy as a premier destination for youth basketball talent in the Midwest, potentially shaping the future of basketball in Oklahoma for decades to come. Gary Payton’s return to Oklahoma City, not as a former foe, but as a generous benefactor, solidifies his place as a true ambassador of the game, transcending team loyalties to inspire the next generation.
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