Payton Sandfort returning to Iowa for his senior men’s basketball season

It wasn’t a last-hour decision. It was just a matter of getting WiFi.

Payton Sandfort was in transit from Utah Wednesday, and in planes without working wireless Internet. Thus, he couldn’t tell the world he was returning to the Iowa men’s basketball team this season until he landed in Des Moines about an hour before the 10:59 p.m. deadline for players with remaining college eligibility to remain in the NBA draft.

At any hour, it was welcome news for the Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-7 senior-to-be from Waukee was a consensus third-team All-Big Ten selection last season after averaging team highs in scoring (16.4 points per game) and 3-pointers (94). He was one rebound from sharing the team lead with center Owen Freeman. He started all 34 games.

He has 1,067 career points. On Feb. 27, Sandfort had the first triple-double in Hawkeye men’s basketball history when he had 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Iowa’s 90-81 win over Penn State in Iowa City. He also blocked three shots.

Sandfort worked out for the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz.

“Travel was really no joke, going from city to city for about a month,” Sandfort said. “I think I was in a hotel for like 18 or 19 straight nights.”

He figures to be a linchpin and leader on a team that also returns starters Josh Dix and Freeman, as well as rotation players Pryce Sandfort, Bryce Harding and Ladji Dembele.

“They were really hoping I’d come back and be the leader that this team needs and kind of set us over the edge from being a good to great team,” Payton Sandfort said. “I think everybody’s super-excited about it.”

His decision came after what he said was “about 50” conversations with family, agents, coaches and other confidantes in the last few days.

“My gut feeling was always to go back,” Sandfort said. “There actually was a lot of positive feedback from NBA teams, with a pick range and stuff like that.

“I just didn’t know if I could leave behind that feeling of regret of not seeing this thing out.”

HoopsHype.com compiled mock drafts Tuesday from 10 pro basketball writers from major national sites. including ESPN, Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports. Sandfort was 44th, which would have been the middle of the second round.

Sandfort averaged 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season. He made 37.9 percent of his 3-pointers and 91.1 percent of his free throws.

He had a career-high 30 points and 12 rebounds in Iowa’s home NIT first-round win over Kansas State, leading Wildcats Coach Jerome Tang to call him “their Caitlin Clark.”

“Everyone in our program is elated to have Payton return for his senior season,” said Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery. “Going through the NBA Draft process has been very beneficial for Payton as he was able gain valuable feedback and meet directly with NBA personnel.

“We are looking forward to having Payton return as our team leader and as one of the top players in the Big Ten Conference.”

Comments: mike.hlas@thegazette.com