Lindy Waters III

Lindy Waters III
Free agent
PositionShooting guard
Personal information
Born (1997-07-28) July 28, 1997
Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 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
2024–2025Golden State Warriors
2025Detroit Pistons
2025–2026San Antonio Spurs
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 

Lindy Waters III (born July 28, 1997) is a Kiowa and Cherokee-American professional basketball player who last played for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Waters entered the NBA in 2022 and has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Golden State Warriors, and the Detroit Pistons as well as the Spurs. He was named a finalist for the NBA 2023–24 Social Justice Champion Award.

Early life

Waters was born on July 28, 1997, to Lindy Waters Jr. and Lisa Waters.[1] Waters is an enrolled citizen of the Kiowa tribe, and he is also of Cherokee Nation descent.[1][2] His mother is of Cherokee and Irish descent, while his father is a full-blooded Native American.[3]

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. He 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.[1] That season, he played in 16 games for the Blue, averaging 11.4 points per game.[10]

On February 10, 2022, Waters was signed to a two-way contract by his hometown team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.[11] In the 2021-22 season, Waters competed in 25 games for the Thunder and averaged eight points per game.[12]

On February 27, 2023, the Thunder converted Waters' deal into a multi-year standard contract.[13] In the 2022-23 season, Waters played in 31 games for the Thunder and averaged 5.2 points per game.[12] He also played in 13 games for the Blue and averaged 16.4 points per game.[10]

On August 18, 2023, the Thunder re-signed Waters to a two-way contract after declining his team option.[14] On February 9, 2024, he signed a multi-year contract with the Thunder.[15] In the 2023-24 season, he played 38 games for the Thunder, averaging 3.6 points per game.[12] He also played in three playoff games for the Thunder, but did not score.[16] In addition, Waters played in 10 games for the Blue and averaged 21.8 points per game.[10]

Golden State Warriors (2024–2025)

On June 27, 2024, the Golden State Warriors traded their 52nd pick in the 2024 NBA draft for Waters.[17]

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.[18]

On October 29, 2024, Waters scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Warriors' blowout victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.[19] For the season, Waters competed in 38 games for the Warriors and averaged 5.5 points per game.[12]

Detroit Pistons (2025)

On February 6, 2025, Waters was traded to the Detroit Pistons in a five-team trade which sent Jimmy Butler to the Warriors.[20] He played in 14 games for the Pistons, averaging 4.4 points per game.[12]

San Antonio Spurs (2025–2026)

On July 24, 2025, the San Antonio Spurs announced they had signed Waters.[21] That season, Waters played in 40 games for the Spurs and averaged 2.4 points per game.[12]

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 25118.6.406.363.8002.91.0.8.38.0
2022–23 Oklahoma City 41012.9.393.358.8001.8.7.3.35.2
2023–24 Oklahoma City 3807.4.471.4351.0001.1.6.1.23.6
2024–25 Golden State 38917.2.371.331.7272.51.1.6.35.5
Detroit 1408.8.364.395–1.0.7.4.13.4
2025–26 San Antonio 4007.1.375.342.667.7.5.2.02.4
Career 1961011.9.397.363.7801.7.8.4.24.6

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2024 Oklahoma City 303.0.000.000—.3.0.0.0.0
2026 San Antonio 903.8.462.375—.7.4.2.01.7
Career 1203.6.429.333—.6.3.2.01.3

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Oklahoma State 231216.0.495.442.7141.8.8.6.05.7
2017–18 Oklahoma State 353127.1.443.373.7683.72.0.9.48.7
2018–19 Oklahoma State 323233.8.437.448.8784.22.81.3.212.2
2019–20 Oklahoma State 313031.7.381.317.8254.22.41.2.110.5
Career 12110527.9.427.390.8173.62.11.0.29.5

Off the court

Waters 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.[22]

Personal Life

In 2026, Waters proposed to long-time crush, Rachelle Di Stasio after she ended her relationship with fellow NBA player, Jericho Sims.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gallo, Nick (March 10, 2022). "Honoring the Native Tradition - Lindy Waters III's Connection to His People". nba.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  2. ↑ Johnson, Dalton (July 4, 2024). "Why Native American heritage fuels newest Warrior Waters". NBC Sports Bay Area. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 "Lindy Waters III G-League Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lindy Waters III". ESPN. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Thunder Signs Lindy Waters III to Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 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. ↑ "Lindy Waters III Postseason". ESPN. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Warriors Acquire Guard Lindy Waters III From Thunder". NBA.com. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Former Thunder Guard Dominates Preseason Opener With Viral Buzzer Beater". Oklahoma City Thunder On SI. October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  19. ↑ "What we learned as Podz, Waters fuel Warriors' comeback win vs. Pels". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  20. ↑ "DETROIT PISTONS ACQUIRE DENNIS SCHRӦDER, LINDY WATERS III AND DRAFT COMPENSATION AS PART OF SERIES OF TRANSACTIONS". nba.com. February 6, 2025.
  21. ↑ McDonald, Jeff (July 24, 2025). "Spurs set to sign 3-point specialist Lindy Waters III". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Border politics in Arizona". ICT News. May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
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