Meet Lindy Waters III.
If you haven’t heard of Waters III, now might be the time to learn his name and incredible backstory.
The Golden State Warriors are currently first in the Western Conference, with a fast 5-1 start to the young season.
Waters III has been a consistent role player in Golden State’s rotation, something that seemed nearly impossible only a couple of years ago.
Waters III played four seasons at Oklahoma State, before going undrafted in 2020.
He found himself playing in a semi-pro league and having to take on extra jobs on top of that, to pay the bills, until eventually he joined the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s G League team.
In an interview with Bleacher Report, he discussed his unique journey to the NBA.
“The Basketball League is like a domestic, semi-professional league, and it gave me [a place] to continue to play,” Waters III said.
“We had a great team; we went 30-3 and won the championship.
“That was more of a grind than the G-League was. It’d be like six in the morning, and I’d drive to Omaha or Houston or Dallas and play the day of the game and then drive back.
“And then when I would get home, I’d have to find out how to make some money, so I go DoorDash or cut some grass. I was just trying to get by.
“And then I got a call one day just to come in and work out with [the Oklahoma City Thunder]. I had nothing to lose so I was just up there hooping, having fun.
“They gave me a G League spot and I just worked as hard as I could to get where I’m at. It was a ride, that was a year of growth for me.”
The Thunder then signed Waters III to a multi-year contract in February, whom the Warriors traded for in June.
All of a sudden, Waters III was running next to Steph Curry and Draymond Green, instead of delivering fast food and mowing grass.
Life comes at you fast.
The 27-year-old isn’t letting this opportunity go to waste.
In a blowout victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, Waters III scored a season-high 21 points to go along with eight rebounds.
In a loaded Western Conference, Golden State’s fast start has been critical to claim early pole position.
After missing out on the postseason entirely last season, Curry and the Warriors are looking to get back into the title conversation.
It’s a long season, and having depth is a must to get through it.
And the Warriors may have unlocked a potential secret weapon in Waters III.
It’s safe to say that his DoorDash days are well behind him.
