Warriors' Payton fulfills promise to mother by earning college degree

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II had a big surprise for his mother ahead of Game 6 of his team's first-round playoff series against the Sacramento Kings.

Payton recently graduated from Oregon State with a degree in human development and family science, fulfilling a promise he made to his mother, Monique Payton, according to Janie McCauley of the Associated Press. He presented her with the diploma Friday.

"I made her a promise to get it done and finished when I left school, so just keeping my word and got that to her," Payton said.

In a text message to the Associated Press, Monique wrote that she "was so surprised" and "had no idea he was going to complete his degree."

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was also unaware Payton had graduated and said he's "very proud" of the 30-year-old and his teammates for making an effort to better themselves.

"We have a lot of guys who are really committed to the game, but committed to themselves and trying to better themselves and do things in the community and try to impact the Bay Area," Kerr said. "For Gary to get his diploma, and Steph (Curry) to do that last year, it's all part of that process of continuing to grow and evolve as people."

Payton played at Oregon State for two seasons from 2014-16. He was named to the All-Pac-12 first team and won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year twice.