Payton Sandfort returning was the biggest development for Iowa basketball this offseason.
After flirting with the 2024 NBA draft, Sandfort wound up opting for another season with the black and gold. Sandfort’s choice to return brings the Hawkeyes back their leading scorer.
It also sets up for Iowa to have one of the best players in the Big Ten.
247Sports agrees. Isaac Trotter ranked college basketball’s best players by position for the upcoming 2024-25 season and Sandfort was among the top off-ball wings.
Sandfort checked in as 247Sports’ No. 2 off-ball wing behind only UConn’s Alex Karaban.
Xavier’s Quincy Olivari, Duke 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 shockingly low, 12% rim rate in halfcourt settings, Iowa has a Big Ten Player of the Year contender (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 free throw line.
The 6-foot-7, 215 pound forward was named a third-team All-Big Ten selection by both 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 registered five double-doubles last season and now owns 47 career games with double-figure scoring, including 18 20-point outings.
Sandfort’s decision to return to Iowa was pivotal for the Hawkeyes on multiple 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 out on 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 strong foundation as it embarks upon a return quest to the tourney.
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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire
