Yahoo’s Jake Fischer on Payton Pritchard’s competitive nature: ‘That dude is a hooper’

Yahoo Sports columnist Jake Fischer shared an anecdote highlighting how competitive Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard really is.

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has been on a tear this postseason, earning every bit of his new contract extension in the process. He figures to have an elevated role with the new-look Celtics this year after spending much of last season champing at the bit for more playing time.

The former Oregon Duck inked a four-year, $30 million extension last week, a vote of confidence from Boston’s front office in the plucky guard. Pritchard has shown a knack for scoring in bunches since joining the NBA in 2020, but his inconsistent role with the Celtics has been a challenge at times.

Yahoo Sports columnist Jake Fischer recently explained that Pritchard’s ability to stay ready and stay hungry comes from a singular source. As Fischer explained to the hosts of the “How ‘Bout Them Celtics” podcast, Pritchard simply loves basketball.