Lindy Waters III’s path to the NBA is a testament to grit, resilience, and determination. Just a few years ago, the idea of Waters becoming a key role player in the Golden State Warriors rotation seemed improbable. But now, he’s sharing the court with stars like Steph Curry and Draymond Green—a long way from his days of delivering food and mowing lawns.
Waters III played four seasons at Oklahoma State before going undrafted in 2020. With no immediate path to the NBA, he found himself in The Basketball League (TBL), a domestic semi-pro league, where he could keep his basketball dreams alive. Alongside his TBL commitments, Waters juggled various jobs to make ends meet. He drove for DoorDash, cut grass, and took whatever side gigs he could find.
Reflecting on that time in an interview with Bleacher Report, Waters III described the grind: “The Basketball League gave me a place to continue to play… We went 30-3 and won the championship. It was more of a grind than the G League was.” Waters recalled driving hours to cities like Omaha, Houston, or Dallas, playing on game day, and then heading back home.
His hard work paid off when the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G League team offered him a spot. Seizing the opportunity, Waters poured everything into his game, and in February, the Thunder signed him to a multi-year contract. Surprisingly, the Golden State Warriors acquired Waters in a trade this past June. Suddenly, he found himself on the court with NBA champions, a world away from his life only a year before.
Recalling his journey, Waters shared: “When I would get home, I’d have to find out how to make some money, so I’d go DoorDash or cut some grass… And then I got a call one day just to come in and work out with [the Thunder]. I had nothing to lose, so I was just up there hooping, having fun.”
Now, as he steps up in Golden State’s rotation, Lindy Waters III’s story is a reminder that with hard work and resilience, dreams really can come true.
