# Lindy Waters III

Lindy Waters III (born July 28, 1997) is a Kiowa-American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He was named a finalist for the NBA 2023–24 Social Justice Champion Award for the work his foundation does to support Native American youth through sports, health and wellness.

## Early life

Waters was born on July 28, 1997, to Lindy Waters Jr. and Lisa Waters. Waters attended Norman North High School. During his senior year, he posed for a picture with an airsoft gun after losing a bet with friends. Waters was expelled after the incident and transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy. After several months, he was allowed to return to Norman North and re-joined the basketball team, helping the team reach the state title game. In November 2015, Waters committed to playing college basketball for Oklahoma State.

## College career

During his freshman year, Waters sustained a concussion and a fractured foot that caused him to miss several games. He averaged 5.7 points per game on a team that reached the NCAA Tournament. As a sophomore, Waters averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. In August 2018, he was named "Indian of the Year" by an Intertribal Council. Waters averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as a junior. As a senior, Waters averaged 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

## Professional career
### Enid Outlaws (2021)

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Waters signed with the Enid Outlaws of The Basketball League on March 31, 2021. In 17 games, he averaged 12.6 points, 4.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game. On July 6, 2021, he signed with Palmer Alma Mediterránea of the LEB Oro. However, the contract was voided on August 14 due to bureaucratic problems.

### Oklahoma City Thunder / Blue (2021–2024)

In October 2021, Waters joined the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League after a successful tryout. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his first season for the Blue.
On February 10, 2022, Waters was signed to a two-way contract by his hometown team the Oklahoma City Thunder.
On February 27, 2023, the Thunder converted Waters' deal into a multi-year standard contract. He was assigned to the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League on March 2, 2023. On August 18, the Thunder re-signed Waters III to a two-way contract after declining his team option and on February 9, 2024, he signed a multi-year contract with the Thunder.

### Golden State Warriors (2024–2025)

On June 27, 2024, the Golden State Warriors traded their 52nd draft pick for Waters III, however they re-acquired the pick just hours later, in exchange for cash compensation.
During a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Waters hit a game-winning buzzer beater on October 5, 2024. This was his first career buzzer-beating game winner.
On October 29, 2024, Waters scored a season-high 21 points, along with 8 rebounds in a blowout victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

### Detroit Pistons (2025–present)

On February 6, 2025, Waters was traded to the Detroit Pistons in a five-team trade, including Jimmy Butler to the Warriors.

## Career statistics
### NBA
#### Regular season

| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 2021–22 | Oklahoma City | 25 | 1 | 18.6 | .406 | .363 | .800 | 2.9 | 1.0 | .8 | .3 | 8.0 |
| 2022–23 | Oklahoma City | 41 | 0 | 12.9 | .393 | .358 | .800 | 1.8 | .7 | .3 | .3 | 5.2 |
| 2023–24 | Oklahoma City | 38 | 0 | 7.4 | .471 | .435 | 1.000 | 1.1 | .6 | .1 | .2 | 3.6 |
| 2024–25 | Golden State | 27 | 8 | 17.9 | .382 | .349 | 0.857 | 2.6 | 1.3 | .7 | .3 | 5.9 |
| Career | Career | 104 | 1 | 12.3 | .416 | .377 | .815 | 1.8 | .7 | .4 | .3 | 5.3 |

#### Play-in

| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 2023 | Oklahoma City | 2 | 0 | 10.5 | .286 | .167 | — | 1.5 | 1.0 | .5 | .0 | 2.5 |
| Career | Career | 2 | 0 | 10.5 | .286 | .167 | — | 1.5 | 1.0 | .5 | .0 | 2.5 |

#### Playoffs

| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 2024 | Oklahoma City | 3 | 0 | 2.8 | .000 | .000 | — | .3 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| Career | Career | 3 | 0 | 2.8 | .000 | .000 | — | .3 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |

### College

| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 2016–17 | Oklahoma State | 23 | 12 | 16.0 | .495 | .442 | .714 | 1.8 | .8 | .6 | .0 | 5.7 |
| 2017–18 | Oklahoma State | 35 | 31 | 27.1 | .443 | .373 | .768 | 3.7 | 2.0 | .9 | .4 | 8.7 |
| 2018–19 | Oklahoma State | 32 | 32 | 33.8 | .437 | .448 | .878 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 1.3 | .2 | 12.2 |
| 2019–20 | Oklahoma State | 31 | 30 | 31.7 | .381 | .317 | .825 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 1.2 | .1 | 10.5 |
| Career | Career | 121 | 105 | 27.9 | .427 | .390 | .817 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .2 | 9.5 |

## Personal life

Waters is an enrolled citizen of the Kiowa tribe and he is also of Cherokee Nation descent.