featured-image

Elfrid Payton's High School Jersey Retired

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

By Josh Cohen
Feb. 16, 2017

NEW ORLEANS – Elfrid Payton remembers all the great times he had at John Ehret High School like they happened yesterday.

From his rise on the basketball court to the laughter he shared with his friends and teammates, Payton’s teenage experiences helped shape him into the person he is today.

With NBA All-Star Weekend in his home city, the third-year Orlando Magic point guard figured it was a good time to step back on the campus and recollect some of those fond memories.

Little did he know that he would receive the honor of a lifetime. The school, located in Jefferson Parish, commemorated Payton prior to his former team’s game on Thursday and surprised him by retiring his No. 11. His old jersey is now displayed in the gym and will serve as a reminder of what hard work and dedication can lead to.

“It means a lot to be back here,” Payton said. “It just brings back a lot of memories. I was super surprised (about getting jersey retired). It was a great time.”

In addition to family, friends, faculty and current students, Payton received some adoration from a special visitor. Aaron Gordon, who is in New Orleans getting ready to participate in the 2017 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest, took a ride out to the school to help honor his buddy and Magic teammate.

“It was super cool that he was able to come support me,” Payton said. “Obviously, he’s got a lot of things going on this weekend so to be able to take time out, the whole Magic family, it was great to have them here.”

Gordon also makes an effort to return to his alma mater when he has the opportunity. Last summer, he ran a basketball camp at Archbishop Mitty in northern California to help kids develop their skills.

“It’s just good to give back,” Gordon said. “It’s the community that raised you and has given you the opportunities to be as successful as you can be so to come back and give back is just the right thing to do.”

The Payton and Gordon families have bonded since they both joined the Magic in 2014. They celebrate each other’s accomplishments and share in the joy of being around one another.

“It means a lot (for Gordon to be at the ceremony) and I know he was real excited about that to be able to show that support for him,” said Elfrid Payton Sr., EP’s father and a former gridiron star in the Canadian Football League.