Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, questions, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Payton Sandfort
Position: Forward
School: Iowa
Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'8", 215 lbs
Birthdate: July 12, 2002
High School: Waukee (IA)
Player Overview
Payton Sandfort is one of the most proficient shooters in this draft class, showcasing a compact, fluid, and repeatable form that allows him to thrive in various offensive sets. Whether coming off screens, spotting up, or in catch-and-shoot scenarios, Sandfort displays exceptional preparation and a quick release, making him a dangerous weapon from beyond the arc. He’s also a strong free-throw shooter, reflecting his overall shooting reliability.
Sandfort demonstrates a solid understanding of the game, often moving well without the ball to create space to find open looks. While he’s not a primary or secondary creator, he shows flashes of being a willing passer and a capable decision-maker in simple offensive reads. Defensively, Sandfort is committed and aware, but his lack of elite athleticism limits his effectiveness against quicker opponents. At the next level, Sandfort projects as a specialist, offering valuable shooting but requiring improvement in other areas to expand his role.
"Payton Sandfort has positional size, a high basketball IQ, and can really shoot the ball. Players like that always have a chance." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
Elite Shooting Ability: Compact, fluid form with a quick release; highly effective in off-ball and catch-and-shoot situations.
Off-Ball Movement: Excellent at navigating screens and positioning himself for open looks.
Free-Throw shooting: High-level consistency from the line.
Game Awareness: Strong feel for spacing and timing within the flow of the offense.
Rebounding Effort: Effective rebounder for his position due to solid positioning and effort.
Concerns
Athleticism: Lacks explosiveness and lateral quickness, limiting his defensive versatility.
Defensive Impact: While committed, he struggles to stop quicker or more physical opponents consistently.
Offensive Creation: Needs to develop more as a shot creator and passer to diversify his offensive impact.
Predictability: His offensive game can become one-dimensional, relying heavily on perimeter shooting.
Questions
Can Sandfort develop his on-ball creation and decision-making to complement his shooting?
Will his lack of athleticism hinder his ability to compete defensively at the NBA level?
Can he expand his scoring profile to include more mid-range and driving opportunities?
Bottom Line
Payton Sandfort is an elite shooter whose size, basketball IQ, and off-ball movement make him a valuable prospect for teams seeking a floor spacer. While his athletic limitations and defensive shortcomings may restrict his role, his shooting alone gives him a chance to carve out a spot at the next level. If he can improve as a defender and add more versatility to his offensive game, Sandfort has the potential to be a productive rotational player in the NBA.