Yesterday, dedicated to indigenous peoples in the United States, had a particular resonance for a handful of NBA players, including Lindy Waters III. The guard, who scored a buzzer beater in his first game with the Warriors, is a citizen of the Kiowa Nation and descendant of the Cherokees.
While trying to earn his place in Steve Kerr's rotation, the former Thunder player is researching the connections between the San Francisco Bay Area and the Native American community.
“ There are many things to discover. I hear a lot of stories about Alcatraz and surrounding tribes, so I can't wait to learn more. But today is Indigenous Peoples Day, so I get to celebrate it with my people “, he blurted out.
More than five million Americans identify as indigenous, including a handful of NBA players like Kyrie Irving, MarJon Beauchamp and Lindy Waters III. “ MarJon, Kyrie and I are the three main NBA players to carry this legacy within us. And we take it upon ourselves to be there for our community, so to celebrate that with everyone around us is great. »
Named “Native American of the Year”
When she was younger, Lindy Waters III was not always comfortable with her ties to the Native American community, before becoming aware of it in high school. Shortly after accepting a scholarship to play at Oklahoma State University, the undrafted player mentored Native American children and hosted basketball clinics designed specifically for a group likely to feel isolated.
His commitment was such that he was named “Native American of the Year” by the American Indian Exposition in 2018. The 27-year-old, who arrived in the league in 2021, created the “ Lindy Waters III Foundation ”, whose mission is “ to support Native American youth and indigenous communities through sports, health and wellness, and leadership programs “.
Although he played little for the Thunder last season – his playing time having continued to decline since his rookie year – and therefore had little exposure, Lindy Waters III was one of the five finalists of the “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award”, won by Karl-Anthony Towns for his actions in the area of social justice.
“ I was excited, I was ready to leave Oklahoma, explore and become myself. I got to know myself better off the field, I met new people, new players. I was excited and couldn't wait to get here », enthused the rear about the start of his new life in California.
| Lindy Waters III | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | OKC | 25 | 19 | 40.6 | 36.3 | 80.0 | 0.2 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 8.0 |
| 2022-23 | OKC | 41 | 13 | 39.3 | 35.8 | 80.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 5.2 |
| 2023-24 | OKC | 38 | 7 | 47.1 | 43.5 | 100.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 3.6 |
| Total | 104 | 12 | 41.6 | 37.7 | 81.5 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 5.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
