Payton Sandfort’s return was the biggest development for Iowa basketball this offseason.
After flirting with the 2024 NBA draft, Sandfort ended up opting for another season in the black and gold. Sandfort’s choice to return brings the Hawkeyes back their leading scorer.
It also makes Iowa have one of the best players in the Big Ten.
247Sports agrees. Isaac Trotador ranked the best players in college basketball by position for the upcoming 2024-25 season and Sandfort was among the best off-the-ball wingers.
Sandfort registered as 247Sports’ No. 2 off-ball wing behind only UConn’s Alex Karaban.
Xavier’s Quincy Olivari, Duke’s first-rounder Jared McCain and Bryant’s Sherif Gross-Bullock were the only players who made more transition treys than Sandfort (27). If Sandfort can improve his surprisingly low 12% rim rate in half-court environments, Iowa has a Big Ten Player of the Year candidate (again). – Trotter, 247Sports.
The senior forward averaged 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season while shooting 44.6% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range and 91.1% from the field. free throw line.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward was named third-team All-Big Ten by the league’s coaches and media. Sandfort was honored as the Big Ten Player of the Week on March 4 of last year.
The Waukee, Iowa, product recorded five double-doubles last season and now has 47 career games with double-digit scoring, including 18 20-point games.
Sandfort’s decision to return to Iowa was pivotal for the Hawkeyes on several levels. Obviously, a shooter and scorer like Sandfort is always a welcome sight.
But, the Hawkeyes are also looking to return to the NCAA tournament after missing the dance for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.
With Sandfort back in the fold alongside talented sophomore Owen Freeman, Iowa has a pair of stars to build around and a solid foundation as it embarks on a quest to return to the tournament.
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