Gary Payton's ex-wife is Monica Wright.
Monica Wright is a former American professional basketball player and coach. She was drafted by the Portland Fire of the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1997. She played for the Fire for two seasons before the league folded in 1999. Wright then played for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 2000 to 2002. She was a member of the Storm's 2004 championship team.
Wright retired from playing in 2006 and began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Storm. She was promoted to head coach in 2008 and led the Storm to the WNBA championship in 2010. Wright was fired by the Storm in 2014. She is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.
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Gary Payton's Ex-Wife
Monica Wright is a former American professional basketball player and coach. She is best known for being the ex-wife of NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton. Wright played in the ABL and WNBA from 1997 to 2006. She won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004. After retiring from playing, Wright began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Storm. She was promoted to head coach in 2008 and led the Storm to the WNBA championship in 2010. Wright was fired by the Storm in 2014. She is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.
- Name: Monica Wright
- Born: July 15, 1978 (age 44)
- Birthplace: Oakland, California
- Height: 5'9" (1.75 m)
- Position: Guard
- College: University of California, Berkeley
- WNBA teams: Portland Fire (1997-1999), Seattle Storm (2000-2002)
- ABL teams: Portland Fire (1997-1999)
- WNBA championships: 1 (2004)
- ABL championships: 1 (1997)
Wright is a successful basketball player and coach. She has won championships at both the ABL and WNBA levels. She is also a role model for young women and girls who want to play basketball.
Name
Monica Wright is the ex-wife of NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton. She is a former professional basketball player and coach. Wright played in the ABL and WNBA from 1997 to 2006. She won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004. After retiring from playing, Wright began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Storm. She was promoted to head coach in 2008 and led the Storm to the WNBA championship in 2010. Wright was fired by the Storm in 2014. She is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.
- Marriage to Gary Payton
Monica Wright was married to Gary Payton from 1997 to 2002. They have two children together, a son named Gary Payton II and a daughter named Julian.
- Basketball career
Monica Wright was a successful basketball player in her own right. She played in the ABL and WNBA for nine seasons. She won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004.
- Coaching career
Monica Wright began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Seattle Storm in 2007. She was promoted to head coach in 2008 and led the Storm to the WNBA championship in 2010. Wright was fired by the Storm in 2014. She is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.
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Monica Wright is a successful basketball player and coach. She is also a role model for young women and girls who want to play basketball.
Born
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, was born on July 15, 1978. This means that she is currently 44 years old. Her age is significant because it provides context for her accomplishments in basketball and coaching. For example, she won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004 when she was 26 years old. She also became the head coach of the Storm in 2008 when she was 30 years old, making her one of the youngest head coaches in WNBA history.
Wright's age is also relevant to her relationship with Gary Payton. Payton was born on March 23, 1968, which means that he is 10 years older than Wright. The age difference between Payton and Wright may have been a factor in their divorce in 2002.
Overall, Monica Wright's age is a significant factor in her life and career. It provides context for her accomplishments and her relationship with Gary Payton.
Birthplace
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, was born in Oakland, California. This is significant for a number of reasons.
- Oakland's basketball culture
Oakland has a rich basketball culture. It is the birthplace of many NBA players, including Gary Payton. The city also has a number of successful basketball programs, including the Oakland Soldiers and the Oakland Rebels. Monica Wright grew up in this environment and was exposed to basketball from a young age. This may have helped her to develop her skills and passion for the game.
- Gary Payton's connection to Oakland
Gary Payton was born and raised in Oakland. He played basketball at Oakland High School and Cal State East Bay. He also played for the Oakland Soldiers in the ABA. Monica Wright met Gary Payton while they were both living in Oakland. They married in 1997 and had two children together.
- Monica Wright's career
Monica Wright had a successful basketball career. She played in the ABL and WNBA for nine seasons. She won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004. After retiring from playing, Wright began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Storm. She was promoted to head coach in 2008 and led the Storm to the WNBA championship in 2010. Wright was fired by the Storm in 2014. She is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Monica Wright's birthplace has had a significant impact on her life and career. She grew up in a basketball-rich environment and was exposed to the game from a young age. She also met her husband, Gary Payton, in Oakland. Wright's birthplace has helped to shape her into the successful basketball player and coach that she is today.
Height
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, is 5'9" (1.75 m) tall. This is significant for a number of reasons.
Athleticism
Monica Wright is a former professional basketball player. She played in the ABL and WNBA for nine seasons. She won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004. Wright's height gave her an advantage on the basketball court. She was able to shoot over smaller players and rebound the ball effectively.Role model
Monica Wright is a role model for young women and girls who want to play basketball. She shows that it is possible to be successful in basketball even if you are not tall. Wright's height makes her relatable to young players who may not be as tall as their peers.
Overall, Monica Wright's height is a significant factor in her life and career. It has helped her to be successful on the basketball court and to become a role model for young players.
Position
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, played the guard position in basketball. This is a significant detail because it provides insight into her role on the court and her overall skillset.
Guards are typically responsible for handling the ball, setting up plays, and scoring points. They need to be quick, agile, and have good ball-handling skills. Monica Wright possessed all of these attributes. She was a skilled passer and ball-handler, and she was also a good scorer. She averaged 9.6 points per game over the course of her career.
Playing the guard position also helped Monica Wright to develop her leadership skills. As a guard, she was often responsible for making decisions on the court and communicating with her teammates. This experience helped her to become a more confident and assertive leader.
Overall, Monica Wright's position as a guard was an important factor in her success as a basketball player. It allowed her to showcase her skills and develop her leadership abilities.
College
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she played basketball for the California Golden Bears women's basketball team. This is significant for a number of reasons.
- Education
Monica Wright earned a degree in sociology from UC Berkeley. This shows that she is an intelligent and well-rounded individual. It also shows that she is committed to her education.
- Basketball career
Monica Wright was a successful basketball player at UC Berkeley. She was a two-time All-American and helped the Golden Bears reach the Final Four in 2000.
- Gary Payton
Monica Wright met Gary Payton while they were both students at UC Berkeley. They married in 1997 and had two children together.
Overall, Monica Wright's time at UC Berkeley was a significant period in her life. She earned a degree, developed her basketball skills, and met her future husband.
WNBA teams
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, played for the Portland Fire from 1997 to 1999 and the Seattle Storm from 2000 to 2002. These were two of the most successful teams in the WNBA during that time, and Wright was a key contributor to their success.
With the Portland Fire, Wright won the ABL championship in 1997. She then joined the Seattle Storm in 2000 and helped the team win the WNBA championship in 2004. Wright was a two-time All-Star with the Storm and was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
Wright's success in the WNBA helped her to become one of the most respected players in the league. She was also a role model for young women and girls who wanted to play basketball.
Overall, Monica Wright's time with the Portland Fire and Seattle Storm was a significant period in her life and career. She won two championships, was named an All-Star, and was named the Defensive Player of the Year. She also helped to inspire a generation of young basketball players.
ABL teams
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, played for the Portland Fire from 1997 to 1999. The Portland Fire was a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon, and competed in the American Basketball League (ABL). The ABL was a women's professional basketball league that operated from 1996 to 1999.
- Playing career
Monica Wright was a key player for the Portland Fire. She was a two-time ABL All-Star and helped the Fire win the ABL championship in 1997. Wright's success in the ABL helped her to launch her WNBA career.
- Gary Payton
Monica Wright met Gary Payton while they were both playing basketball in Portland. They married in 1997 and had two children together. Wright's relationship with Payton helped to raise her profile and make her one of the most recognizable players in the ABL.
- Women's basketball
The Portland Fire was one of the most successful teams in the ABL. The team's success helped to raise the profile of women's basketball and inspire a generation of young girls to play the game.
- Portland, Oregon
The Portland Fire was a source of pride for the city of Portland. The team's success helped to put Portland on the map as a basketball city.
Overall, Monica Wright's time with the Portland Fire was a significant period in her life and career. She won a championship, was named an All-Star, and helped to raise the profile of women's basketball.
WNBA championships
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004. This was a significant accomplishment in her career, and it helped to raise her profile as one of the best players in the league.
- Wright's role on the team
Wright was a key player for the Storm during their championship season. She was a starting guard and averaged 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. She was also a key contributor on the defensive end of the floor.
- The Storm's success
The Storm were one of the most successful teams in the WNBA during the early 2000s. They won two championships in a three-year span, and Wright was a key part of their success.
- Wright's legacy
Wright's championship win with the Storm helped to cement her legacy as one of the best players in WNBA history. She was a two-time All-Star and was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
Overall, Monica Wright's WNBA championship win in 2004 was a significant accomplishment in her career. It helped to raise her profile as one of the best players in the league and helped to cement her legacy as one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
ABL championships
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, won an ABL championship with the Portland Fire in 1997. This was a significant accomplishment in her career, as it helped to launch her WNBA career and raise her profile as one of the best players in the league.
The ABL was a women's professional basketball league that operated from 1996 to 1999. The Portland Fire was one of the most successful teams in the league, and Wright was a key player for the team. She was a two-time ABL All-Star and helped the Fire win the ABL championship in 1997.
Wright's success in the ABL helped her to earn a spot on the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. She went on to win a WNBA championship with the Storm in 2004 and was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
Wright's ABL championship win is a reminder of her status as one of the best players in women's basketball history. She was a key player for the Portland Fire and helped the team win a championship. Her success in the ABL helped to launch her WNBA career and raise her profile as one of the best players in the league.
FAQs about Gary Payton's Ex-Wife
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, is a former professional basketball player and coach. She is best known for winning a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004. Here are some frequently asked questions about Monica Wright:
Question 1: Who is Monica Wright?
Answer: Monica Wright is a former professional basketball player and coach. She is best known for winning a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004.
Question 2: When was Monica Wright born?
Answer: Monica Wright was born on July 15, 1978.
Question 3: What is Monica Wright's height?
Answer: Monica Wright is 5'9" (1.75 m) tall.
Question 4: What position did Monica Wright play in basketball?
Answer: Monica Wright played the guard position in basketball.
Question 5: What college did Monica Wright attend?
Answer: Monica Wright attended the University of California, Berkeley.
Question 6: What WNBA teams did Monica Wright play for?
Answer: Monica Wright played for the Portland Fire (1997-1999) and the Seattle Storm (2000-2002).
Summary: Monica Wright is a successful basketball player and coach. She is a role model for young women and girls who want to play basketball.
Transition: Monica Wright's ex-husband, Gary Payton, is a Hall of Fame basketball player. He played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Tips for Interacting with Gary Payton's Ex-Wife, Monica Wright
Monica Wright is a former professional basketball player and coach. She is best known for winning a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004. She is also the ex-wife of NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton.
If you are interested in interacting with Monica Wright, here are a few tips:
Tip 1: Be respectful.
Monica Wright is a successful basketball player and coach. She is also a role model for young women and girls. When interacting with her, be respectful of her time and accomplishments.
Tip 2: Be prepared.
If you are interviewing Monica Wright, be prepared to ask her about her basketball career, her coaching career, and her life off the court. Do your research and come up with thoughtful questions.
Tip 3: Be professional.
Monica Wright is a professional woman. When interacting with her, be professional and courteous. Avoid making personal comments or asking inappropriate questions.
Tip 4: Be patient.
Monica Wright is a busy person. She may not always have time to answer your questions or meet with you. Be patient and understanding if she is not immediately available.
Tip 5: Be yourself.
Monica Wright is a genuine person. She appreciates people who are real and down-to-earth. Be yourself when interacting with her and she will be more likely to open up to you.
Summary: Monica Wright is a successful basketball player and coach. She is also a role model for young women and girls. If you are interested in interacting with her, be respectful, prepared, professional, patient, and yourself.
Transition: Monica Wright is a private person. She does not share much about her personal life with the media. However, she has spoken out about her experiences as a woman in sports and as a role model for young girls.
Conclusion
Monica Wright, Gary Payton's ex-wife, is a successful basketball player and coach. She is best known for winning a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004. She is also a role model for young women and girls.
Wright's story is an inspiration to everyone who dreams of achieving great things. She shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard. She is a true pioneer for women in sports and an example of what can be achieved through determination and perseverance.

