The Iowa Wolves just made a splash, announcing on October 1 that they’ve secured the returning player rights for former Hawkeye basketball star Payton Sandfort. Yeah, you read that right. The 6-foot-7 forward could be headed back to his old stomping grounds, and if his recent pro experience is any indication, this could be massive for the Wolves.
The Hawkeye Star is Back Home
Sandfort isn’t just some guy, you know? He was a legit big-time contributor for the Hawkeyes after dominating at Waukee High School. We’re talking about a dude who earned the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year title back in 2023. Over his whole collegiate run, playing in 134 games, he put up averages of 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Those are serious numbers, showing he can light it up and be a factor every night.
A Taste of the NBA and G League Grit
And it’s not just college stats we’re looking at here. Sandfort actually got some NBA run last season! He appeared in four games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging a solid 8.8 points on 50% shooting from the field, including a super impressive 42.1% from downtown. That’s efficiency, people! Beyond the big league, he also suited up for 25 games with the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate. There, he was clocking 27.4 minutes per game and throwing up averages of 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He’s got real pro experience under his belt, which is huge for a G League squad.
What It Cost The Wolves
So, what did it take to bring this talent back to Iowa? The Wolves didn’t get him for free, that’s for sure. They picked up Sandfort’s rights in exchange for the returning player rights of guard Nojel Eastern. Plus, they threw in a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA G League Draft. That pick actually came to them from the Delaware Blue Coats via the Santa Cruz Warriors. It tells you they really wanted Sandfort; you don’t give up a future first-rounder in the G League for just anyone!
So, what’s next for Sandfort and the Wolves? Bringing in a player with his college pedigree and a genuine taste of the NBA is a serious power-up for any G League team. Fans in Iowa have to be absolutely pumped to see what he brings to the court this season. With his scoring ability and G League experience, Sandfort could be a major problem for opponents.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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