Iowa’s Payton Sandfort declares for NBA Draft

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa announced Tuesday that junior wing Payton Sandfort has submitted paperwork for early entry into the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Waukee native will retain his college eligibility. He has until May 29 to remain draft eligible or remove his name from consideration.

“It has been a dream come true to represent this program and my state the past three seasons as a Hawkeye,” Sandfort said in a press release. “Every day, I pushed myself to make our team as successful as possible. I have loved every second of being a Hawkeye.

“It has been my lifelong dream to get the opportunity to play in the NBA. I plan to enter my name into the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining my eligibility. I will continue to push myself every day to make this dream a reality. I appreciate the support from Hawkeye nation as I go through this process.”

The 6-foot-7 Sandfort averaged 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this season. He shot 37.9 percent from 3-point range and 91.1 from the free-throw line.

His 94 made 3s led the Big Ten Conference.

Sandfort scored in double figures in 27 games and posted a team-best 11 20-point contests, including a career-best 30-point, 12-rebound outing in Iowa’s NIT first-round win over Kansas State. He made a career-high seven 3-pointers in the victory.

“We fully support Payton using this opportunity to gain valuable feedback from NBA personnel through workouts and interviews,” Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said in a press release from the school. “Payton is one of the best shooters in the nation and he displayed an all-around game during his junior season. He will go through this process with a professional approach, and we are excited to see his game continue to grow to another level.”

Iowa also has three players who have entered the transfer portal in guards Dasonte Bowen and Tony Perkins, and forward Patrick McCaffery.

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