Gary Payton II only recently learned about the significance of the Far West Classic from his father.
The Oregon State senior guard and reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year has been making his own legacy in Corvallis for the past two years, but is not above a history lesson from the elder Gary Payton, the national player of the year with the Beavers in 1990.
"It's going to be a great environment," Payton II said. "I think that's pretty big that they're bringing it back."
That sentiment filtered to former players, such as three-time all-Pac-10 forward Charlie Sitton.