IOWA CITY, Iowa — Payton Sandfort took his NBA resolution all the way down to the ultimate hours, however the Iowa junior guard withdrew from the draft and can stay at Iowa for his senior 12 months, he introduced on social media Wednesday.
“This course of has been an unbelievable expertise and due to everybody for all the assistance alongside the way in which,” Sandfort mentioned. “However my coronary heart remains to be in Iowa Metropolis, unfinished enterprise. Belief in God’s plan at all times.”
This course of has been an unbelievable expertise and due to everybody for all the assistance alongside the way in which. However my coronary heart remains to be in Iowa Metropolis, unfinished enterprise. Belief in Gods plan at all times 🙏🏻 see yall quickly pic.twitter.com/7HN2lEvKkK
— Payton Sandfort (@payton_20_) Could 30, 2024
Sandfort, who stands 6 foot 7 and weighs 215 kilos, was thought-about a borderline first-rounder had he remained within the NBA Draft. Sandfort had particular person exercises with the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, he informed reporters final week.
The Athletic’s NBA draft analyst Sam Vecenie mocked Sandfort at No. 36 to the Indiana Pacers.
Final 12 months, Sandfort averaged 16.4 factors, 6.6 rebounds and a pair of.7 assists, shot 37.9 % from 3-point vary and 91.1 % from the free-throw line. He ranked second within the Huge Ten in free-throw share, third in 3-point share and eighth in scoring.
Sandfort’s 3-point proficiency was why he was a strong NBA prospect. He led the Huge Ten with 94 3-pointers, sank two or extra 3s in 27 video games, three or extra in 17 video games and 4 or extra 12 instances. He additionally recorded the primary triple-double in Iowa males’s basketball historical past.
“Everybody in our program is elated to have Payton return for his senior season,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery mentioned in an announcement. “Going by means of the NBA Draft course of has been very helpful for Payton as he was in a position achieve invaluable suggestions and meet immediately with NBA personnel.
“We’re trying ahead to having Payton return as our staff chief and as one of many high gamers within the Huge Ten Convention.”
What this implies for Iowa
Sandfort’s return dramatically adjustments Iowa’s outlook for the 2024-25 season. He led the Hawkeyes (19-15) in scoring and was second in minutes performed.
Iowa now has 55 % of its minutes and 53 % of its scoring again from final season regardless of shedding second-team All-Huge Ten level guard Tony Perkins (Missouri) and part-time starter Patrick McCaffery (Butler) to the switch portal.
Together with Sandfort, Iowa brings again beginning two-guard Josh Dix and Huge Ten Freshman of the Yr middle Owen Freeman, plus backup level guard Brock Harding.
Within the switch portal, Iowa signed level guard Drew Thelwell (11.1 factors, 2.8 assists), who guided Morehead State to the Ohio Valley Convention regular-season title, and former Manhattan ahead Seydou Traore (11.8 factors, 8.2 rebounds).
As well as, sophomore guard Pryce Sandfort (Payton’s youthful brother) and sophomore ahead Laji Dembele return as rotational gamers whereas four-star ahead Cooper Koch and three-star energy ahead Chris Tadjo ought to compete for minutes.
An NIT staff final season after 4 straight NCAA appearances, Iowa ought to be thought-about an upper-third squad within the 18-team Huge Ten. With out Sandfort, the Hawkeyes have been a bottom-half squad at finest.
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(Picture: Jeffrey Becker / USA At the moment)
