After participating in the pre-NBA Draft process, Iowa forward Payton Sandfort has informed 247Sports that he will return to Iowa for his senior year.
After working out for multiple organisations and taking part in the NBA Draft Combine, Sandfort determined it would be best to play his final year in Iowa City.
The Waukee native led the Big Ten in three-point field goals made throughout the season, averaging 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 38 percent from three in 2023–2024.The pre-draft process left Sandfort’s draft stock dispersed. Before the combine, he was projected to be selected in the first round in a few mock drafts; however, following the combine, the same mock drafts began to project him to the second round.
This season, Sandfort will have the opportunity to further establish himself in Iowa City and a good chance of making the All-Big Ten First Team. Sandfort worked with Dayton forward DaRon Holmes during the pre-draft workouts in New Jersey. Holmes is anticipated to be selected in the first round of this year’s draft.
Regarding his counsel to Sandfort, Holmes remarked, “I’ve told him to follow his heart.” You’ll really have a gut feeling and know what you want to accomplish. The distinction between Payton and me, in my opinion I was much closer to being undrafted in the second round. Payton might make it to the first round this year, in my opinion. I believe that with him, you should follow your instincts and consider your goals. He’ll choose well in the end. He puts a lot of effort into his work. He will murder it if he goes back. “He will kill if he stays.”
Fran McCaffery is thrilled that Sandfort will return for a second season.
“We are all thrilled to have Payton back for his senior year,” Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery remarked. “Payton has benefited much from going through the NBA Draft process since it allowed him to meet NBA personnel in person and receive insightful criticism.
“We are looking forward to having Payton return as our team leader and as one of the top players in the Big Ten Conference.”
The Impact: With Sandfort back, Iowa will probably climb the 247Sports Big Ten Power Rankings, where they were most recently ranked at No. 12. Josh Dix, Owen Freeman, and Sandfort are the three starters that Iowa will have back. Seydou Traore of Manhattan and Drew Thelwell of Morehead State, who will probably fill the other two starting places, were also acquired by the Hawkeyes through the transfer site. Despite having a youthful bench, Iowa will be counting on Ladji Dembele, Pryce Sandfort, and Brock Harding to step up significantly in their sophomore and junior seasons.
Cooper Koch and Chris Tadjo, another excellent two-man class from Iowa, can contribute in a number of ways and provide a significant lift to the team off the bench with to Koch’s outside shooting and Tadjo’s flexibility, athleticism, and ability to rebound. With Sandfort returning for his last season, Iowa has a strong chance of being a major player in the Big Ten this season.
Iowa will regain its top scorer.
Forward Payton Sandfort of Iowa has chosen to return to Iowa City for his senior season, having gone through the NBA Draft process over the last two months.
