Payton Sandfort

Sandfort grew up in Waukee, Iowa and attended Waukee High School. where he played basketball and golf. He averaged 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists as a junior. He was named the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association 4A Player of the Year after averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists during his senior season. Sandfort also helped Waukee to a state championship in golf as a senior. During his senior season, Sandfort was rated a three-star recruit and committed to playing college basketball for Iowa, over offers from Stanford, Utah, Minnesota, Drake, Air Force, and Loyola Chicago. Sandfort was a role player as a freshman the Hawkeyes. He played in 34 games and finished the season averaging 5.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Sandfort entered his sophomore season as Iowa's starting shooting guard and was moved to the bench due to poor shooting. However, by the end of the season he was named the Big Ten Conference Sixth Man of the Year averaging 10.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Payton Sandfort was named a starter for Iowa as a junior and had an incredible season for the Hawkeyes. He started all 34 games and averaged 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. After the season Sandfort announced his intentions to forego his remaining eligibility and enter the 2024 NBA Draft.