Iowa Wolves acquire returning player rights for ex-Hawkeye Payton Sandfort

Payton Sandfort could be headed back to Iowa.

The Iowa Wolves announced on Oct. 1 that the team acquired the returning player rights of Sandfort, a former basketball star at Waukee High School and the University of Iowa.

Sandfort, a 6-foot-7 forward, appeared in four games with the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, averaging 8.8 points on 50% shooting including 42.1% from 3-point range.

Sandfort appeared in 25 games for the Oklahoma City Blue, the NBA G League affiliate of the Thunder. He averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 27.4 minutes per game.

After starring at Waukee, Standfort became a big-time contributor for the Hawkeyes. Sandfort was named the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2023.

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During the course of his collegiate career, Sandfort played in 134 games and averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

The Wolves picked up Sandfort in exchange for the returning player rights of guard Nojel Eastern and a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA G League Draft from the Delaware Blue Coats via the San Cruz Warriors.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Wolves acquire returning player rights for ex-Hawkeye Payton Sandfort