Hall of Famer Gary Payton to become head basketball coach at Lincoln University

Hall of Famer Gary Payton is returning to basketball. 

According to The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears, Payton has agreed to a multi-year deal to become the new head basketball coach at Lincoln University in his hometown of Oakland, California.

"It's a startup program and a private independent school where I can establish what I want to establish," Payton told The Undefeated. "I don't have to go behind anybody to try to make a program become something or keep it going. I can start it off with my own program with what I want to happen. 

"And the reason I took it is because it's in Oakland, California."

Payton told The Undefeated that he is hoping to schedule primarily Division I schools and eventually build the program into a full-fledged Division I program. The university's athletic director told The Undefeated that two Division I schools are already planned for the men's basketball schedule.

The program is currently looking into several practice facilities and game venues, including the Golden State Warriors' former practice facility in Oakland. The team also hopes to schedule a game next season at Oakland Arena, the former home of the Warriors. 

According to The Undefeated, a "major television network" is considering following Payton with the Oaklanders. 

Payton, who is considered one of the best defenders in NBA history, was a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection and 1995 Defensive Player of the Year. He is the Seattle SuperSonics' all-time leader in points, assists and steals, and won an NBA title with the Miami Heat in 2006. 

Payton also spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks before retiring in 2007.