Latest news with #Sandfort
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Payton Sandfort inks deal with NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder
NEWS: Iowa's Payton Sandfort has agreed to a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a source told ESPN.6'7 wing made a barrage of 3s in college while filling up the boxscore with assists and blocks. After going undrafted in this years NBA Draft, it was unsure what the future held for Payton Sandfort. Sandfort had a great career at Iowa, but injuries his senior year caused his stock to fall and he ended up going undrafted. He didn't have to wait long to find out his next step. Shortly after the end of the NBA Draft, Jonathan Givony of ESPN announced that Sandfort would be signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder as an undrafted free agent. For Sandfort, it's hard to imagine a better landing spot for his development than with the reigning NBA Champions. The Thunder are known for drafting and developing talent that the rest of the league passed on. Whether it's Aaron Wiggins, Jaylin Williams, Lu Dort or Cason Wallace, the Thunder's development of talent is a huge reason why they won the NBA Championship last season. And Sandfort has the talent to succeed in the NBA. During his four years at Iowa, Sandfort averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 36% from three on 5.7 attempts per game. Sandfort's junior year was stellar, he averaged 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from three. He was named the 2022-2023 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year and was named to the 2023-24 All-Big Ten team. Now in Oklahoma City, Sandfort will have a chance to get better and develop with one of the best organizations in the league. All of Hawkeye Nation will be watching and excited to see how his NBA career develops. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: OKC Thunder sign Iowa's Payton Sandfort as UDFA
Just because the 2025 NBA draft is over, doesn't mean teams stop ringing the phones. As soon as the last pick is announced, a whole class of undrafted free agents hope to get signed by an NBA squad with summer league weeks away. The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Georgetown's Thomas Sorber with the No. 15 pick and Northwestern's Brooks Barnhizer with the No. 44 pick. Now, they added somebody from undrafted free agency. The Thunder have signed Iowa's Payton Sandfort to a contract, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony. He spent four college seasons at Iowa from 2021-25. Sandfort averaged 16.7 points on 40.7% shooting, six rebounds and 2.9 assists in 33 games last season. He shot 34% from 3 on 7.5 attempts. He was a 89.1% free-throw shooter. The 22-year-old is a 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward. While the details of the deal are unknown, it's likely an Exhibit 10 deal. Sandfort will get a chance to play for the Thunder on their summer league squad. If he impresses enough, he could get added to their G League's OKC Blue roster.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Payton Sandfort, F, Iowa
Payton Sandfort #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes brings the ball up court during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Second Round at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my NBA Draft Guide. Payton Sandfort, F, Iowa Height: 6-8 • Weight: 215 • Class: Senior • Age: 22 Summary: Sandfort is a beautiful shooter off the catch capable of knocking down shots from anywhere. Even though his numbers dipped as a senior at Iowa, he played through a fractured wrist and torn labrums on both of his shoulders! But when he's healthy, he could provide a spark as a member of the Clippers bench. Advertisement Comparisons: Sam Hauser Strengths Shooting: Elite spot-up shooter who relocates into open space and hits from deep with quick, confident mechanics. Defenses can't lose track of him. He's also capable of hitting side-step jumpers and midrange pull-ups with a smooth release. Passing: Never plays outside of himself as a good decision-maker with the ball in his hands. But with a growing role each season, he showed he's more than just a basic decision-maker with his feel for passing to open teammates off of drives. Effort: Brings consistent intensity on defense and rebounds well for his position. Concerns Shot creation: Not a primary creator and can struggle generating clean looks against length. Advertisement Defense: He has limitations defending in space and doesn't change direction too well. He could be hunted in switches at the next level. For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my NBA Draft Guide.
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa senior Payton Sandfort among late additions to G League Elite Camp
Iowa senior Payton Sandfort among late additions to G League Elite Camp Iowa senior Payton Sandfort is among the 45 prospects invited to the 2025 NBA G League Elite Camp, beginning on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois, the league announced. Sandfort wasn't included on the initial invitation list for the annual scouting combine at the Wintrust Arena that surfaced on Saturday. However, several players reportedly declined to attend, clearing the way for Sandfort to make the trip to the Windy City. In addition to Sandfort, Kentucky guard Lamont Butler, Baylor forward Norchad Omier and Yale guard John Poulakidas were among the late additions to the event. Sandfort was an All-Big Ten honorable mention this past season, averaging 16.7 points, six rebounds and 2.9 assists on 34% shooting from 3-point range in 33 games. He led the conference in 3-point percentage and ranked 20th in the country in free-throw percentage (89.1). The 6-foot-7 forward tested the predraft process last year, participating in the combine and working out with at least six teams before returning to Iowa City. He will now have the chance to improve his draft stock in front of team executives and scouts. The G League Elite Camp will feature 5-on-5 games, strength and agility testing, shooting drills, measurements and other on-court exercises. The top performers will be invited to the draft combine on May 11-18. The 2025 NBA draft will occur June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Iowa basketball transfer portal entry forecasted to Big Ten rival
A pair of On3 reporters are forecasting Pryce Sandfort to land with rival Nebraska. On3 national reporter Joe Tipton and Husker Online's Robin Washut each submitted On3 recruiting predictions for Sandfort to eventually commit to the Huskers. Advertisement Sandfort averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game with Iowa last season while shooting 48.8% from the field and 40.0% from 3-point range across 33 games for the Hawkeyes. In 65 career games over his two seasons in Iowa City, Sandfort totaled 365 points, 129 rebounds, 57 assists, 23 steals and 12 blocks while shooting 45.5% from the field and 38.6% from 3-point range. The 6-foot-7, 210 pound forward knocked down 73 3-pointers in his two seasons in the black and gold, including 56 a season ago. But, the Waukee Northwest product entered the NCAA transfer portal following Iowa's firing of former head coach Fran McCaffery. Sandfort arrived in Iowa City as a four-star signee in the 2023 class. In its On3 industry ranking, Sandfort checked in as the nation's 91st-rated player overall, the No. 19 small forward and as the No. 2 player from Iowa. Advertisement Now, in its updated transfer portal rankings, Sandfort is regarded as the nation's 81st-ranked player and as the No. 13 small forward. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball transfer portal entry forecasted to Big Ten rival
