Lindy Waters III’s path to the NBA didn’t begin with fanfare or hype. Instead, it started with quiet determination, a love for the game, and a deep connection to his roots. There’s a powerful force behind him, a legacy that’s carried him every step of the way, and it’s not just basketball.

So let’s explore his roots and how he’s making his people proud each day by being in the NBA.

Who are Lindy Waters III’s parents? Where is the Golden State Warriors starter from?

The hoopster’s story begins in Boulder, Colorado, where he was born on July 28, 1997. He was born to parents, Lindy Waters Jr. and Lisa Waters, who had already planted the seeds of his identity. When he was just four, the family made a significant move to Norman, Oklahoma, where young Lindy would grow up and truly begin to understand his roots. His father, Lindy Jr., and his mother, Lisa, were both deeply connected to their Native American heritage. Do you know he belongs to the indigenous community?

Yes, he has long embraced his Kiowa and Cherokee ancestry, and his family immersed him in it. The Waters family home, a place full of sacred artifacts, carried the weight of generations before them. Eagle feathers, passed down with reverence, hung on the kitchen wall in Norman, Oklahoma. These were not just symbols, but living connections to their heritage. Lindy Jr. sometimes told stories about their ancestors, like Chief Red Tipi and Satank, keeping the history alive for his children.

It wasn’t until the hooper reached high school that he began to grasp the full significance of his roots. He wasn’t always as connected to the culture, but his experiences shaped his awakening. It started with trips to the Stokes Stomp Grounds in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where he witnessed the powerful Cherokee stomp dances.

His family also made pilgrimages to pow-wows, where they would gather, eat, and honor their traditions. These moments stirred something inside him. The music, the food, the dancing—he felt it all. He realized how much he stood on the shoulders of his ancestors. But why was it important for him to learn about all this now?

The answer became clear: it wasn’t just history; it was a path. A way to honor the sacrifices made by those who came before him. It was in Washington D.C., when the realization hit him hard when he was with his father and siblings at just ten years old. However, the family trip turned into a connection with the culture for him as it was there, at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, where he learned not only about the history of the United States but also about his people’s place in it.

He still wears the weight of that responsibility. “It just makes me work a lot harder, makes me more thankful for the situation and opportunity that I’m given, and makes me want to leave it even better than when I came in,” he said. And he truly has. From mentoring Native American youth, holding basketball clinics for kids on the reservation, to being named “Indian of the Year” by the American Indian Exposition, Lindy’s commitment to his heritage has only deepened. He’s not just a player of the Golden State Warriors; he’s a symbol. A bridge between the modern world and the traditions of his people.

When asked how he feels about being one of the few Indigenous players in the NBA, he didn’t shy away. “Me, MarJon, and Kyrie are the three main ones in the NBA that really carry that heritage with us,” Lindy said, referring to fellow Native players Kyrie Irving and MarJon Beauchamp. “We take it upon ourselves to be there for our community, so getting to celebrate that with everybody around us is amazing.”

In his time at Oklahoma State, the hooper began to mentor Native youth in ways that went beyond the basketball court. The “Lindy Waters III Foundation” was born, with a mission to help Indigenous youth thrive through sports, health, and leadership. “It’s about giving back to my people,” he said. He knew what it meant to feel isolated, and now, he uses his platform to make sure others don’t feel alone.

His family—his father Lindy Jr., mother Lisa, and three sisters, Leana, Loren, and Lindsey—played a huge part in his journey. They weren’t just bystanders on his rise; they were his foundation.

In many ways, Lindy Waters III isn’t just playing basketball. He’s living out a legacy that connects him not only to his family in Oklahoma but to an entire community that looks up to him. However, with this, you know about his personal story, but do you know his way to the NBA wasn’t that impressive?

Lindy Waters III’s journey to the NBA

Unlike many, Waters’ journey to the NBA wasn’t a straight line; it was full of hurdles, determination, and a strong belief in himself. Do you know his college career at Oklahoma State started on a rough note? So, here’s how his freshman year didn’t go the way it was supposed to go.

A concussion and a fractured foot came in his way, keeping him off the court for several games. Despite this setback, the hoopster managed an average of 5.7 points per game, contributing to his team’s NCAA Tournament run. However, he didn’t hold back. As a sophomore, he started finding his rhythm. He successfully averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. But it was his junior year that set the stage. He saw it as an opportunity and averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, solidifying his place as a key player.

However, even after having solid stats, the hooper went undrafted into the 2020 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, this didn’t cause Waters discouraged. In 2021, he finally made it to the basketball league as he was signed with the Enid Outlaws, where he averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. With these stats, he ended up in the G League!

Who would have thought that this impressive play would earn him a spot with the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League? The guard landed a successful tryout led to a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2022.

The real breakthrough came in 2024. After bouncing between the Thunder and Blue, Lindy was traded to the Golden State Warriors. A preseason buzzer-beater against the Clippers and a season-high 21 points in October marked his arrival. How far can Lindy go now with the Warriors?