ESPN NBA Draft Analyst: Payton Sandfort has a Ready-Made Skill for the NBA. Invited to May 12-19 NBA Draft Combine

[Franisdaman]

The comments on Payton:

Sandfort proved to be one of the nations most lethal and versatile shooters, knocking down 38% of his threes on a tough shot diet/massive volume (13.2 3PA/100) and over 90% of his FTs. Sandfort not just a shooter used his gravity to make plays for his teammates, upping his ASTs to ~3 a game with a 2/1 AST/TO ratio. The 6’7” wing has a lot of Sam Hauser in his game.



Check this out & watch:

 

[Franisdaman]

Some more video of his workouts:

 

[RayRay3454]

The comments on Payton:

Sandfort proved to be one of the nations most lethal and versatile shooters, knocking down 38% of his threes on a tough shot diet/massive volume (13.2 3PA/100) and over 90% of his FTs. Sandfort not just a shooter used his gravity to make plays for his teammates, upping his ASTs to ~3 a game with a 2/1 AST/TO ratio. The 6’7” wing has a lot of Sam Hauser in his game.



Check this out & watch:

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Used his gravity to make plays for his teammates????

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Used his gravity to make plays for his teammates????

Remember his triple double game?

 

[RayRay3454]

Remember his triple double game?

Yeah - I think he is a good and willing passer, but a odd use of gravity

 

[fivecardstud14]

Yeah - I think he is a good and willing passer, but a odd use of gravity

Aintcha ever heard this in regards to Steph Curry?

 

[RayRay3454]

Not until now - looks like it is a term used now. Surprised it wasn't mentioned in regards to Caitlin

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Not until now - looks like it is a term used now. Surprised it wasn't mentioned in regards to Caitlin

I definitely hear the commentators discuss this with Caitlin. It's also the reason why Fran stuck with Jbo for so long...

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

Some more video of his workouts:

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I think we can all appreciate the tremendous talent, skill and work it takes to refine ones game in order to get to the highest level of any sport. Just watching that video exhausts me. To make those moves so many times over, and over, and over that it becomes as easy for them as drinking a glass of water is insane. Kudos to all of them for putting in the work. Hope it pays off and they make a nice return on their investment.

With that said, at the end of the day, his career at the next level will come down to 75% on how well he plays defense and not be a liability when isolated. Not so long ago there we many who could have a nice long career just because they could shoot lights out, while also being a defensive liability...that is not the case in today's league.

And so we're clear, I'm not saying Payton can't get there, hopefully he does.

Just not until after he comes back for one more year as a Hawkeye.

 

[twindman]

I didn't know the NBA played this thing called defense!!!

 

[fivecardstud14]

I didn't know the NBA played this thing called defense!!!

Yawn.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Quicker release than Weezy but likely won’t test as well athletically. Last ten picks of the draft is my prediction. Will need to hit 40% plus from 3 on lower volume to stick.

 

[CookyMonster]

Quicker release than Weezy but likely won’t test as well athletically. Last ten picks of the draft is my prediction. Will need to hit 40% plus from 3 on lower volume to stick.

I think he's quicker than wieskamp but definitely can't jump like him.

 

[Fan In Black]

these guys are never wrong. PS should declare and max out his credit

 

[RocknRollface]

I didn't know the NBA played this thing called defense!!!

Defense looks different when you are defending the most skilled players in the world and you aren't allowed to grab and bump.

Most of what passes for defense in college would be called a foul in the NBA.

 

[LukaDuka]

I think we can all appreciate the tremendous talent, skill and work it takes to refine ones game in order to get to the highest level of any sport. Just watching that video exhausts me. To make those moves so many times over, and over, and over that it becomes as easy for them as drinking a glass of water is insane. Kudos to all of them for putting in the work. Hope it pays off and they make a nice return on their investment.

With that said, at the end of the day, his career at the next level will come down to 75% on how well he plays defense and not be a liability when isolated. Not so long ago there we many who could have a nice long career just because they could shoot lights out, while also being a defensive liability...that is not the case in today's league.

And so we're clear, I'm not saying Payton can't get there, hopefully he does.

Just not until after he comes back for one more year as a Hawkeye.

Yep, just like Luka. His defense has kept him from sticking in the league. The guy can score...

 

[littlez]

I didn't know the NBA played this thing called defense!!!

Go to game and see the floor spread and see how to stop anyone. You might understand.

 

[littlez]

Defense looks different when you are defending the most skilled players in the world and you aren't allowed to grab and bump.

Most of what passes for defense in college would be called a foul in the NBA.

Absolutely. Guys who say they don’t play defense haven’t watch a game since Jordan retired and they changed the hand check rules.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Defense looks different when you are defending the most skilled players in the world and you aren't allowed to grab and bump.

Most of what passes for defense in college would be called a foul in the NBA.

And vice-versa.

 

[RocknRollface]

Absolutely. Guys who say they don’t play defense haven’t watch a game since Jordan retired and they changed the hand check rules.

The 90s were awesome in their own way, it was equal parts basketball, football and wrestling.

It was definitely a more intense sport but the skill level was so much lower.

A lot of the guys today probably couldn't make it in that era and most of the guys from that era couldn't play in this nba.

 

[littlez]

The 90s were awesome in their own way, it was equal parts basketball, football and wrestling.

It was definitely a more intense sport but the skill level was so much lower.

A lot of the guys today probably couldn't make it in that era and most of the guys from that era couldn't play in this nba.

Well said. 80’s and 90’s was my era as well. While the players today are more skilled than ever, and the way they call the game is actually how it was meant to be called, it’s still just hard to get used to watching teams shoot 35-40 3’s a game. But these guys today are phenomenally skilled.

 

[Franisdaman]

Payton is not getting drafted in the 1st round so I think he will be back for his senior season.

Payton shot 37.9% from 3 last season and 44.6% overall.

For those with a premium subscription:

 

[Franisdaman]

It will be interesting to see how many of these guys return to school.

 

[RocknRollface]

It will be interesting to see how many of these guys return to school.

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I'm guessing Edey, Hawkins, Ware and Christie stay in.

 

[Franisdaman]

I'm guessing Edey, Hawkins, Ware and Christie stay in.

.
now with some players getting million dollar deals from NIL, they have a business decision to make. staying in college might make them more money

 

[Franisdaman]

If anybody is wondering about Zach Edey: his first season was 2020-21 (the free covid year) so he has one more year at Purdue if he wants it.

Games Played for Zach:
28: 2020-21
37: 2021-22
34: 2022-23
39: 2023-24
......................
138 TOTAL
==========

 

[WestCoastHawkI]

If anybody is wondering about Zach Edey: his first season was 2020-21 (the free covid year) so he has one more year at Purdue if he wants it.

Games Played for Zach:
28: 2020-21
37: 2021-22
34: 2022-23
39: 2023-24
......................
138 TOTAL
==========

Scary

 

[Franisdaman]

Scary

yeah, I hope Zach if finally done dominating college basketball

 

[Franisdaman]

His shooting is NBA ready. The development of his fade away/mid range shots has been nice. Needs to guard better and gains some muscles. . Duncan Robinson has made it as a 3pt shooting specialist---if Sandfort can guard as well as Duncan, there should be a place for Payton.

do you think he comes back for his senior season?

 

[Franisdaman]

This NBA mock draft has Payton going #49 to the Indiana Pacers.

Previous mock draft spot: No. 52

School/team: Iowa

Position: SF

Size: 6'7", 215 lbs

Age: 21, Junior

Nationality: American

Pro comparison: Sam Hauser

Payton Sandfort will look to use NBA combine drills and scrimmages and team workouts to sell teams on his shooting versatility/accuracy and competitiveness.

His stroke could look clean enough to justify a special role, while the right intangibles could give him an extra edge.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10116891-2024-nba-mock-draft-full-2-round-predictions-and-pro-comparisons

 

[hawkirugged17]

Sandfort is invited to the Combine.

 

[Franisdaman]

Sandfort is invited to the Combine.

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I wonder if he goes; I have seen reports that he'd be a 2nd rounder next year, too. So, does he want to continue working on his game in college or in the pros? We'll see....

 

[Franisdaman]

Going #43 in this mock draft:

2024 NBA Mock Draft: Projections Entering May

Predicting the 2024 NBA Draft results with the lottery drawing less than two weeks away.

www.si.com

 

[twindman]

TBH I haven't really watched a whole game for years. I live in Phoenix and adopted the Suns, who have sucked for several years. I just remember the center backing down the lane, etc. Guess I was thinking more about NCAA but wasn't really paying attention.

 

[Franisdaman]

TBH I haven't really watched a whole game for years. I live in Phoenix and adopted the Suns, who have sucked for several years. I just remember the center backing down the lane, etc. Guess I was thinking more about NCAA but wasn't really paying attention.

now everyone has to be able to shoot from midrange to deep

 

[Hawksfor3]

now everyone has to be able to shoot from midrange to deep

Yep, the 3 point shot is a highly prized commodity.

 

[Franisdaman]

Yep, the 3 point shot is a highly prized commodity.

does Payton play good enough defense is one question that will be asked at the Combine

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

I live in Phoenix and adopted the Suns, who have sucked for several years.

Not sure of your definition of “several” or “sucked” but they literally made the NBA finals in 2021.

 

[Hawksfor3]

does Payton play good enough defense is one question that will be asked at the Combine

That's a good question. Remember that Keegan wasn't a great defender either, but he could shoot from deep.
The one thing that stands out to me where PS is concerned is his rebounding. Don't know where his numbers are right now, but he made the effort here. We know he can shoot and rebound. Will that be enough? A lot depends on team needs and at positions.

 

[littlez]

.
now with some players getting million dollar deals from NIL, they have a business decision to make. staying in college might make them more money

Doubt any of those guys are million dollar guys. Not even close.