Lindy Waters III

The compelling journey of Kiowa-American professional basketball player Lindy Waters III, born July 28, 1997, revolves around hard work, resilience, and a commitment to serve the community. Waters currently stands as a vital member of the Golden State Warriors under the National Basketball Association (NBA). Waters’ path to this level in his basketball career had much to do with his love for the sport and his dedication to develop sophistication in his craft, earned through his years in college basketball at Oklahoma State. His influential status also was reflected when Waters entered the finalist list for the NBA Social Justice Champion Award for the 2023-24 season. Being honored with such a recognition highlights the tremendous efforts of Waters’ foundation in enhancing the wellbeing of Native American youth, a cause he passionately fights for, seeking development through the avenues of sports, health, and wellness.

Sharing a glimpse into the early life of Lindy Waters III, we find him born to parents Lindy Waters Jr. and Lisa Waters in 1997. His journey as a promising basketball player started unfolding when he was studying at Norman North High School. Despite facing a brief period of expulsion due to an incident involving an Airsoft gun, Waters demonstrated strong resolve as he transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy and following a brief period, made a triumphant return to his old high school. He rejoined the basketball team, adding strength to lead the team to the state title game, proving what a crucial asset his presence was on the court.

After graduating from high school, Waters committed to playing college basketball for Oklahoma State in November 2015. During his freshman year, he overcame significant challenges, remaining resilient while dealing with a concussion and a fractured foot. Despite these injuries causing him to miss several games, he scored an average of 5.7 points per game for the team, which ended up reaching the NCAA Tournament. Waters showed steady improvement over his sophomore and junior years, reflected through his scoring averages increasing to 8.7 and 12.2, respectively. His contributions off the court were recognized in August 2018, when the Intertribal Council named him “Indian of the Year”.

Waters’ determination and dedication set him apart. Even though he was not drafted in the 2020 NBA Draft, he never allowed this to dampen his spirits or divert his basketball career. He embraced his journey in The Basketball League (TBL), signing with the Enid Outlaws on March 31, 2021. After playing 17 games and scoring an average of 12.6 points, he had another stint with Palmer Alma Mediterránea of the LEB Oro in July 2021, although, it was short-lived due to bureaucratic issues.

Remaining undeterred, Waters knocked on the doors of the NBA G League and was soon selected by the Oklahoma City Blue after a successful tryout in October 2021. His impressive average of 8.3 points per game in his initial season for the Blue led to a two-way contract with his hometown team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in February 2022. In late February 2023, Thunder converted Waters’ deal into a multi-year contract further cementing his place in the team. Despite initial revisions in his contract, he also managed to sign an extended contract with Thunder in February 2024.

The determined Lindy Waters III grabbed the attention of the Golden State Warriors who executed a trade deal in exchange for their 52nd draft pick in June 2024. In a surprising turn of events, the Warriors managed to buy back their pick within a few hours providing the team with considerable cash compensation. The young Water’s talent and potential further shone when he scored a game-winning buzzer beater during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 5, 2024, marking his first career buzzer-beating game-winner. His scoring acumen was further demonstrated when he recorded a season’s best of 21 points and 8 rebounds in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on October 29, 2024.

On a personal level, Waters takes pride in his Kiowa lineage as an enrolled member of the tribe, while he also carries the heritage of the Cherokee Nation. Basketball continues to be a vital bridge allowing Waters to explore his talent while building meaningful connections and augmenting his roots, as he exemplifies commitment, resilience, and a passion for the community.