Tag: Payton Sandfort

Payton Sandfort named to 2024-25 preseason All-Big Ten team

Payton Sandfort with that preseason All-Big Ten treatment.

Iowa basketball forward Payton Sandfort has been named to the 10-member preseason 2024-25 All-Big Ten team.

Voted upon by a media panel, Sandfort’s preseason All-Big Ten honor means that the Hawkeyes have now been represented in five of the last six seasons. Sandfort joins Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp (2019), Luka Garza (2020), Keegan Murray (2021) and Kris Murray (2022) in that distinction.

Sandfort was named a third-team All-Big Ten choice by the media and coaches last season after averaging team highs in points and rebounds with 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 campaign.

The 6-foot-8, 215 pound forward started all 34 games last season and shot 44.6% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point distance and 91.1% from the free throw line. Sandfort’s field goal and 3-point percentages were both career-highs.

A native of Waukee, Iowa, Sandfort explored the 2024 NBA draft process before deciding upon a return to the Hawkeyes. That was huge news for Iowa as the Hawkeyes look to return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out last year following a stretch of four straight tourney berths.

Sandfort scored in double figures in 27 of Iowa’s 34 games last season, including a team-best 11 20-point contests. The senior forward knocked down a career-high seven 3-pointers in Iowa’s 91-82 first-round NIT victory over Kansas State last March en route to career-high totals in points (30) and rebounds (12).

Sandfort became just the second Big Ten player since 1991-92 to average 16-plus points, six-plus rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 3-point field goals per game. The Waukee High School product also recorded the first triple-double in Iowa men’s basketball history when he tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Hawkeyes’ 90-81 win over Penn State on Feb. 27, 2024.

Purdue guard Braden Smith was chosen as the unanimous preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.

Sandfort joins a preseason All-Big Ten group that features Smith, Indiana center Oumar Ballo, Minnesota forward Dawson Garcia, Northwestern guard Brooks Barnhizer, Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad, Penn State guard Ace Baldwin Jr., Rutgers guard Dylan Harper and Washington forward Great Osobor.

Iowa opens its 2024-25 men’s college basketball season on Monday, Nov. 4 versus Texas A&M Commerce. The Hawkeyes also have one lone exhibition on Friday, Oct. 25 against Minnesota-Duluth.

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247Sports tabs Iowa’s Payton Sandfort among nation’s top off-ball wings

Iowa basketball star Payton Sandfort earned some praise from 247Sports. The outlet ranked Sandfort among the nation’s top off-ball wings.

Payton Sandfort returning was the biggest development for Iowa basketball this offseason.

After flirting with the 2024 NBA draft, Sandfort wound up opting for another season with the black and gold. Sandfort’s choice to return brings the Hawkeyes back their leading scorer.

It also sets up for Iowa to have one of the best players in the Big Ten.

247Sports agrees. Isaac Trotter ranked college basketball’s best players by position for the upcoming 2024-25 season and Sandfort was among the top off-ball wings.

Sandfort checked in as 247Sports’ No. 2 off-ball wing behind only UConn’s Alex Karaban.

Xavier’s Quincy Olivari, Duke first-rounder Jared McCain and Bryant’s Sherif Gross-Bullock were the only players who made more transition treys than Sandfort (27). If Sandfort can improve his shockingly low, 12% rim rate in halfcourt settings, Iowa has a Big Ten Player of the Year contender (again).  – Trotter, 247Sports.

The senior forward averaged 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season while shooting 44.6% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range and 91.1% from the free throw line.

The 6-foot-7, 215 pound forward was named a third-team All-Big Ten selection by both the league’s coaches and media. Sandfort was honored as the Big Ten Player of the Week on March 4 of last year.

The Waukee, Iowa, product registered five double-doubles last season and now owns 47 career games with double-figure scoring, including 18 20-point outings.

Sandfort’s decision to return to Iowa was pivotal for the Hawkeyes on multiple levels. Obviously, a shooter and scorer like Sandfort is always a welcome sight.

But, the Hawkeyes are also looking to return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out on the dance for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.

With Sandfort back in the fold alongside talented sophomore Owen Freeman, Iowa has a pair of stars to build around and a strong foundation as it embarks upon a return quest to the tourney.

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Payton Sandfort announces return to Iowa basketball

Iowa star Payton Sandfort announced he is returning to the Hawkeyes for his senior season.

Payton Sandfort is back for one more ride.

The 6-foot-7, 215 pound forward decided his heart was still painted black and gold for next season.

Faced with a tough decision, Sandfort took to X to announce that he had withdrawn his name from the 2024 NBA draft and would be returning to the Iowa Hawkeyes for his senior season.

“This process has been an unbelievable experience and thanks to everyone for all the help along the way. But my heart is still in Iowa City, unfinished business,” Sandfort wrote on X.

It’s massive news for the Hawkeyes. Sandfort was Iowa’s leading scorer and rebounder a season ago, averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. The Waukee, Iowa, native shot 44.6% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range and 91.1% from the charity stripe.

Sandfort knocked down a league-leading 94 3-pointers during the 2023-24 men’s college basketball season.

A third-team All-Big Ten selection by both the league media and coaches, Sandfort reached double-figure scoring in 27 games with a team-high 11 20-point contests. In Iowa’s 91-82 NIT win over Kansas State, Sandfort dropped a career-high 30 points and collected 12 rebounds.

In an offseason that has involved some musical chairs for the Hawkeyes, this news from Sandfort is the biggest. Iowa needed its top player back for the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season and now the Hawkeyes know that Sandfort is indeed back in tow.

Iowa saw guards Tony Perkins and Dasonte Bowen and forward Patrick McCaffery exit the program through the transfer portal to Missouri, St. Bonaventure and Butler, respectively.

Meanwhile, Iowa added Morehead State guard Drew Thelwell and Manhattan forward Seydou Traore via the transfer portal.

Thelwell, a 6-foot-3, 195 pound guard, averaged 10.0 points, 6.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. The Orlando product shot 43.5% from the floor and 33.8% from 3-point range. Thelwell netted 64.5% of his free throw tries.

A native of New York, N.Y., Traore averaged 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 43.3% from the field, 25.6% from 3-point range and 80.0% from the charity stripe.

The 6-foot-7, 215 pound swingman just completed his freshman season where he scored in double figures in 18 contests. That included 16 points and eight rebounds in a game at Kansas on Nov. 10, 2023.

Traore also registered 10 games with double-figure rebounds, including four contests where he pulled down a dozen or more boards.

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CBS Sports includes Payton Sandfort among players that should return to college

CBS Sports says it’s best for Payton Sandfort to return to Iowa.

One looming question mark for the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team ahead of the 2024-25 college basketball season is if they will have Payton Sandfort or not.

The guard has played three years at Iowa and is coming off of a career year where he averaged 16.4 points. He also had career-highs in field goal percentage (44.6%), 3-point shooting percentage (37.9%), rebounds (5.4) and free-throw shooting (91.1%).

This year earned him buzz around the NBA draft and has media wondering if Sandfort should stick around at Iowa for one more year or head to the pros. CBS Sports feels one more year at Iowa could benefit the guard.

Payton Sandfort | SG | Iowa – The combine was rough for Sandfort after generating potential first-round buzz leading into the week. He struggled shooting the ball, a worrying trend for a prospect labeled primarily as a shooter, and never got comfortable playing against his peers in the scrimmages. That’s just one piece of the puzzle to consider during the process, of course, and playing great or miserably won’t make or break any one player’s specific stock, but a return to school seems like his best option. – Kyle Boone, CBS Sports

If Sandfort goes to the NBA, Iowa loses its best scorer and most-experienced guard. They will turn to a group, while talented, that is young and would be thrust into Big Ten action.

Second-leading scorer Tony Perkins has since transferred out along with Dasonte Bowen. Behind Sandfort that leaves Josh Dix, who came into his own during the second half of last season, and Brock Harding, who will enter his second year at Iowa.

After those two, Iowa will need to find depth at the guard position if Sandfort leaves. With Iowa’s current roster construction, his decision looms large.

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Projected second-round pick Payton Sandfort to work out with Warriors

Projected second-round pick Payton Sandfort is among six prospects who will work out with the Warriors on Thursday.

Projected second-round pick Payton Sandfort is among six prospects who will work out with the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, according to Jason Dumas of KRON4 News.

Sandfort was named to the All-Big Ten third team after averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range in 34 games. He led the conference in 3-pointers (94) and ranked eighth in scoring.

Joining Sandfort in the workout on Thursday are San Diego State guard Lamont Butler, Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins, Washington State forward Isaac Jones, Kentucky forward Antonio Reeves and Auburn forward Jaylin Williams.

The Warriors have one draft selection this year — the 52nd pick from the Milwaukee Bucks — after their first-round pick was conveyed to the Portland Trail Blazers in the draft lottery. The players visiting on Thursday could be potential targets for the team in the second round.

With just one pick, the Warriors hope to find another player late in the draft who can contribute next season. The team received strong production this season from Trayce Jackson-Davis, who was the 57th pick last year and nearly made the NBA All-Rookie second team.

The organization will continue to bring in prospects for workouts and interviews who could be targeted in the second round or as undrafted free agents.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Big Ten basketball boasts six invites to 2024 NBA draft combine.

Big Ten basketball boasts six invites to 2024 NBA draft combine.

The Big Ten conference produced six invitees for the 2024 NBA draft combine, set to take place from May 12-19.

Those players: Purdue’s Zach Edey, Minnesota’s Cam Christie, Indiana’s Kel’el Ware, Iowa’s Payton Sandfort and Illinois’ Coleman Hawkins and Terrance Shannon Jr.

Wisconsin unsurprisingly did not see any players invited. NBA hopefuls A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn elected to enter the transfer portal instead of testing the NBA waters.

Badgers fans hope some players earn future invitations, including rising star John Blackwell, top 2024 point guard Daniel Freitag and transfer forward Xavier Amos.

The invited athletes will perform several on-court skill drills and compete in games during the seven-day event before a crowd well-stocked with scouts and coaches. It will take place at the Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago, Illinois. Strength, power, speed, agility and body size are specifically measured in events such as the bench press, lane agility drills, vertical jump and reactive sprints. 

Per the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, all selected players are required to attend and engage in the draft combine. 

From the 14 Big Ten teams in 2023-24, six athletes received invites.

From UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington, the four Big Ten newcomers in 2024-25, four athletes received invites, including Bronny James.

Iowa basketball star receives 2024 NBA draft combine invite

Payton Sandfort is officially headed to the 2024 NBA draft combine.

Iowa men’s basketball has the opportunity this summer to extend their streak of players drafted into the NBA. Since 2021, four Hawkeyes have heard their names called at the NBA draft.

Luka Garza and Joe Wieskamp were second-round picks in 2021. Twin brothers Keegan and Kris Murray would become first-round picks in back-to-back drafts in 2022 and 2023. Now, Payton Sandfort is the newest Iowa player with his sights set on the NBA.

It was announced on Friday that Iowa guard Payton Sandfort received an invitation to the 2024 NBA draft combine. Taking place May 12-19 in Chicago, Sandfort is one of 78 players who received an NBA draft combine invitation.

How he performs at the combine will be a major sign of the direction Payton Sandfort plans to take. If he impresses and raises his draft stock, there’s a good shot Sandfort could remain in what is seen by the consensus as a very weak draft.

However, Sandfort enters the combine maintaining his collegiate eligibility. The 6-foot-7, 215 pound forward could very well just be testing the waters, seeing what he has to improve on in his senior season in order to lock himself into an NBA draft pick of the future.

With a year of eligibility remaining, Sandfort’s decision will be extremely important for Iowa. The Waukee, Iowa, native was the Hawkeyes’ leading scorer last season, averaging 16.4 points per game. It really felt as though his game finally started to come together after showing great flashes his first two seasons with the Hawkeyes.

Now a full-time starter, Sandfort showed that he is capable of being a go-to scorer for the Hawks. Through his first two years, Sandfort was a player who impressed in spurts.

Last season, it all really started to click, though. Sandfort sank nearly three 3-pointers per game on average and shot 37.9% from 3-point range.

The Hawkeyes have some impressive young pieces on the roster with point guard Brock Harding and reigning Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year Owen Freeman at forward. However, even with the young emerging talent, the squad still needs that leader who can be counted on every night to put the ball into the basket.

Iowa also added Morehead State transfer guard Drew Thelwell to its roster last month. This past season, Thelwell averaged 10.0 points, 6.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. The Orlando product shot 43.5% from the floor and 33.8% from 3-point range. Thelwell netted 64.5% of his free throw tries.

Sandfort has until May 29 to make his final NBA draft decision.

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Iowa junior Payton Sandfort declares for 2024 NBA draft, maintains eligibility

Sandfort was named to the All-Big Ten third team after averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a junior.

Iowa junior forward Payton Sandfort declared for the 2024 NBA draft this week while maintaining his remaining college eligibility, the program announced.

Sandfort was named to the All-Big Ten third team after averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range in 34 games. He led the conference in total 3-pointers (94) and ranked eighth in scoring.

The 6-foot-7 standout recorded 11 20-point performances, including a career-high 30 points and 12 rebounds in the Hawkeyes’ first-round win in the NIT. He also became the first player in program history to register a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists on Feb. 27.

Sandfort isn’t projected to be drafted, though he will have the opportunity to interview and work out with teams over the pre-draft process. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

The 21-year-old took advantage of a larger role this season, starting every game for the first time in his career. He is highly touted for his ability as a shooter, while he also has ideal size at his position that projects to translate well at the next level.

Sandfort will have the chance to improve his draft positioning over the next several weeks in workouts and other scouting events. However, he could ultimately opt to return to school and look to build on his success this past season.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Rutgers men’s basketball unable to stop Iowa’s offense in 86-77 lose

Rutgers men’s basketball lost to Iowa on Saturday.

On Saturday, Rutgers men’s basketball returned to action for the second time in January. The Scarlet Knights could not get back in the win column as the Hawkeyes emerged with an 86-77 win.

While Rutgers played much better in the second half, their rally fell short. For the second straight game, Clifford Omoruyi scored less than ten points and Aundre Hyatt only scored nine. However, there was one bright spot in Mawot Mag.

The Melbourne native led Rutgers in scoring with 24 points. He was also a menace on the boards with ten rebounds. After missing the start of the season due to injury, Mag showed against Iowa why Rutgers was eagerly awaiting his return.

 

As the Hawkeyes rolled to their eighth win of the season, they took advantage of Rutgers mistakes. The Hawkeyes scored 16 points off turnovers and 38 points in the paint. While Iowa had its fair share of ball control issues, it minimized its mistakes in the second half.

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Offensively, the Hawkeyes were led by the talented duo of Ben Krikke and Payton Sandfort. Krikke added 19 points to his resume and Sandfort had 24 points in 32 minutes of action.

With their 14th game of the season in the books, Rutgers will now turn their focus to their match-up with Indiana on Tuesday.

Payton Sandfort named to Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Watch List

As the men’s basketball season approaches, Payton Sandfort finds his name attached to a prestigious preseason watch list.

Suddenly, Payton Sandfort is no longer the wide-eyed, sharpshooting youngster. Now, he’s one of the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ seasoned vets heading into the 2023-24 men’s college basketball season.

Sandfort has appeared in 67 career games and started seven last season. Alongside senior guard Tony Perkins and redshirt senior forward Patrick McCaffery, Sandfort will be expected to be one of Iowa’s key night-in, night-out performers.

Last season, Sandfort averaged 10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 40.4% field goal shooting, including 34.3% marksmanship from 3-point range. The 6-foot-7, 215 pound junior netted 14 double-figure scoring games last year, including six contests with 20 or more points. Sandfort also had seven double-figure scoring games as a freshman.

When he’s hitting from deep, Sandfort can be downright lethal for opposing defenses to have to deal with. As a result, Sandfort finds his name among 20 players named to the prestigious Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Preseason Watch List.

Sandfort joins Ohio State‘s Jamison Battle, Michigan State‘s Coen Carr, and Wisconsin‘s Tyler Wahl as Big Ten forwards named to the preseason watch list.

Over the course of his Hawkeye career thus far, the Waukee, Iowa, native has authored some incredible games and singular moments. Sandfort has demonstrated a knack for the heroics, too.

Last season, Sandfort drained a 3-pointer while being fouled in the final minute of regulation to register a four-point play that sent Iowa into overtime during an eventual 93-84 win over Michigan inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Then, a little more than six weeks later, Sandfort was back at it again, electrifying the Carver crowd with a game-tying 3-pointer that capped an 11-point rally in the game’s final 55 seconds versus Michigan State. That sent the game into overtime, where Iowa wound up with a rousing 112-106 win over the Spartans.

Now, the charge will be bottling those types of heroics up and then delivering the consistency on a nightly basis.

Iowa tips off its exhibition season on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network Plus versus Quincy from inside Carver. Then, on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., Iowa officially opens its 2023-24 campaign versus North Dakota with the game also set to stream on B1G+.

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