From high school expulsion to the NBA and international basketball stages
In short: Lindy Waters III has navigated a winding path through professional basketball. After a controversial expulsion from high school, the Kiowa and Cherokee-American athlete rose through the college ranks to the NBA and eventually to the Chinese Basketball Association, proving his resilience on the court.
The professional journey of Lindy Waters III is marked by significant transitions. He was born July 28, 1997, to Lisa and Lindy Waters Jr. A member of the Kiowa tribe, he also possesses Cherokee Nation ancestry. His early career was interrupted by a high school expulsion at Norman North High School following a bet involving an airsoft gun, though he eventually returned to the team to help them reach a state title game. Following the incident, he transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy before being permitted to return to his original school.
Waters' collegiate career at Oklahoma State began in November 2015. His performance evolved significantly over four years: he averaged 5.7 points as a freshman, 8.7 points as a sophomore, 12.2 points as a junior, and 10.5 points as a senior. The Intertribal Council honoured him as 'Indian of the Year' during August 2018. During his first year at the university, he dealt with a fractured foot and a concussion. He also managed to help his team reach the NCAA Tournament.
His professional ascent saw him move through several NBA organizations. After going undrafted in 2020, he played for the Oklahoma City Blue and the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he was a finalist for the 2023–24 Social Justice Champion Award for his foundation's work with Native American youth. His career has since taken him to the Golden State Warriors, the Detroit Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs, and most recently, the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. His tenure in the NBA included stints with the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons. He also played for the San Antonio Spurs.
Beyond his statistics, Waters' personal life has also seen milestones, such as his 2026 proposal to Rachelle Di Stasio. His partner, Di Stasio, had previously been in a relationship with NBA player Jericho Sims.
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