Lindy Waters III

Lindy Waters III is a Kiowa and Cherokee-American professional basketball player who last played for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. Known for his three-point shooting and relentless work ethic, Waters carved a path from undrafted rookie to NBA roster spot through sheer persistence. He is one of the few Native American players in the league and uses his platform to advocate for Indigenous communities. As of 2026, he continues his career while actively engaging in cultural preservation and youth mentorship.[edit]

Waters grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, in a household steeped in basketball. His father, Lindy Waters Jr., was a standout at Oklahoma State and part of the 1995 Final Four team; his mother, Dr. Lisa Waters, played college basketball. Waters attended Norman High School, where he was a four-year starter and led the team to a state championship. He then played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 2016 to 2020, finishing with 1,435 points and a 38.3% three-point percentage. Despite a solid college career, he went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft. He signed a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in December 2020 but was waived before the season began. Undeterred, he joined the Oklahoma City Blue of the G League, where he averaged 11.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in the 2021-22 season. His perseverance paid off when the Thunder signed him to another two-way contract in February 2022, and he made his NBA debut on March 20, 2022, against the Miami Heat.[edit]

Waters earned a standard NBA contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 1, 2023, solidifying his place in the league. He appeared in 38 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 4.1 points while shooting 35.7% from three. In February 2024, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors but saw limited action. He signed with the Detroit Pistons in July 2024 and was later traded to the San Antonio Spurs in October 2024. Through the 2023-24 season, he has played 83 career games. Off the court, his advocacy for Indigenous communities earned him a finalist spot for the NBA 2023-24 Social Justice Champion Award.[edit]

Waters is widely respected for his humility, work ethic, and cultural pride. Media portrayals often highlight his journey from undrafted to the NBA as a testament to perseverance. He is celebrated by Native American basketball fans and the Oklahoma State community. His social media presence is professional and community-focused, with around 50,000 Instagram followers and 15,000 on Twitter. He does not have an official fandom name, but he is a role model for Indigenous youth.[edit]

Lindy Waters III does not currently hold a placement in the published iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any scope-specific top lists. The iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated his profile in August 2026 and determined he remains unranked at this time. While his professional trajectory has taken him from an undrafted rookie to an NBA Finals participant with the San Antonio Spurs, his public footprint remains that of a respected role player rather than a global celebrity commanding massive fan movements. There is no documented official fandom name for Lindy Waters III, nor do search results identify any specific collective title used by his supporters. Unlike superstars who inspire viral campaigns or organized grassroots projects, Waters operates within a localized sphere of influence centered on Norman, Oklahoma, and Indigenous communities. His engagement with fans is primarily channeled through the Lindy Waters III Foundation, which he founded to support Native American youth through sports and education. The foundation has hosted annual scholarship golf tournaments and basketball events, creating direct connections between the athlete and local youth without relying on fan-led fundraising or unofficial rituals. Social media interactions remain professional and focused on cultural pride and charitable initiatives rather than celebrity-driven fanfare. No records exist of large-scale fan-organized streams, crowd-funded drives in his name, or viral art trends that have disrupted mainstream culture. His narrative is defined by steady career milestones and deep commitment to heritage rather than dramatic, myth-making incidents or extraordinary crowd reactions.[edit]

Waters is a traditional Kiowa dancer who frequently performs at powwows, keeping his cultural roots vibrant throughout his career. An avid golfer, he often spends the NBA offseason on the course, a pastime that complements his disciplined work ethic. His father, Lindy Waters Jr., was a member of Oklahoma State's historic 1995 Final Four team, setting a high bar for the family legacy. He graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in University Studies, balancing athletics with academic focus. In June 2026, Waters achieved a significant career peak by making his first NBA Finals appearance while playing for the San Antonio Spurs against the New York Knicks. This milestone marked a culmination of years of persistence, elevating him from a college standout to the league's biggest stage. His identity as a Kiowa and Cherokee-American also shapes his public voice; in November 2025, he discussed how his heritage influences his perspective on Thanksgiving, a topic covered widely by the San Antonio Express-News. These moments, grounded in verified achievement and personal conviction, define his legacy more than any viral folklore could.[edit]

Waters is the son of Lindy Waters Jr. and Dr. Lisa Waters. His father played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was part of the 1995 Final Four team. His mother was also a collegiate basketball player. He has one sister, Taya. Waters is a citizen of the Kiowa Tribe and also of Cherokee descent. He keeps his personal life private and no information about a spouse or children is publicly available.[edit]

Waters has been teammates with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Chet Holmgren on the Oklahoma City Thunder. His college coach at Oklahoma State was Mike Boynton.[edit]

Lindy Waters III keeps his personal life very private. There is no publicly available information about any romantic relationships, past or present. As of 2026, his relationship status is not known.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Lindy Waters III's net worth in 2026 at $1 Million. This valuation reflects his earnings from NBA contracts, including two-way and standard deals, alongside G League salary and undisclosed endorsement income. His current salary with the San Antonio Spurs remains private, but career earnings from the league are estimated to total around $2-3 million before taxes. Brand partnerships have contributed to his financial growth, though specific deal terms are not widely reported. His wealth has increased steadily since entering the league in 2022, driven by consistent play and community-focused ventures.[edit]