Iowa
Iowa’s Payton Sandfort reacts to joining Oklahoma City Thunder: ‘First-class organization’
Video: Ben McCollum talks offseason workouts, Bennett Stirtz and more
Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum meets with the media on June 24, 2025.
IOWA CITY — During the pre-Draft process, Payton Sandfort got an intimate view of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the franchise that he would later land with. Sandfort took a trip to Oklahoma, where he met with staff, toured the Thunder’s facilities and attended Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams exploded for 40 points in the win, giving the Thunder a 3-2 advantage in the series.
“It was just an unreal environment,” Sandfort said. “Like the loudest arena I’ve ever been in.”
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Sandfort has agreed to sign with the Thunder. The former Iowa basketball standout will start his professional career with the franchise that just won an NBA title.
“There were a lot of teams that showed interest, but they showed by far the most interest the whole time,” Sandfort said of the Thunder.
It was more than just the Game 5 environment that resonated with Sandfort during his pre-Draft visit with the organization.
“I think just the people,” Sandfort said of what stood out. “They’re just so organized and all the people are super involved and super invested. They really talk about making you a better player but also just a much better person and they have all sorts of different development programs for players and for people. So it really stood out as just a first-class organization.”
A product of Waukee, Iowa, Sandfort had an accomplished career at the University of Iowa, scoring 1,619 points combined across four seasons with the Hawkeyes. Sandfort was a prolific 3-point shooter in his time at Iowa, making 271 shots from long range and connecting on 35.7% of his attempts.
Sandfort’s senior season was riddled with challenges. He played through a fractured wrist and torn labrums in each of his shoulders. After the season, Sandfort underwent two surgeries to repair those torn labrums — with the procedures being staggered so he could have at least one arm somewhat functional at all times.
Sandfort will be a part of Oklahoma City’s NBA Summer League team, but he will not play as he continues to recover. He is expected to start form-shooting soon and is on pace to return to game action in November or possibly October.
“The first thing for me is just getting healthy,” Sandfort said. “I really haven’t played healthy in like a year and a half — since before I went into the (pre-Draft) process last year. So just getting healthy and then from there just taking it one day at a time and trying to become the best player and person that I can, which is something that Oklahoma City always emphasizes. They’ve got a ton of resources to do it. And then just trying to find my way and grinding it out and letting God take over and see what happens.”
Oklahoma City’s rise has been lauded in the NBA world. Over the last five campaigns, the Thunder’s regular-season wins total rose from 22 to 24 to 40 to 57 to 68. The franchise is home to some bright young stars, including reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“I think they’ve just proven that they can really develop guys,” Sandfort said. “They’ve taken a ton of guys that were kind of under the radar through college or even their early pro careers and just have developed them, have like a specific plan for everybody. A lot of guys, regardless of what happens, they get a ton better while they’re there. So I’m super pumped about that. They’re just so organized and planned and have proven their success.”
Sandfort still has a long road ahead to get back to full strength and then prove worthy of being a long-term asset to the organization. But he has tools that can make him a valuable partner with the Thunder.
“I think they really like me as a culture fit, which is what they always look for first, especially with the talent they have,” Sandfort said. “They don’t want anyone to come in and disrupt that. They want guys who want to be good teammates, want to do everything they can to help the team win, which is obviously a big deal. And then playing-wise, just the shooting, becoming the best player that I can. And just the heart. They really loved that part of it.”
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has recalled forward Tyler Pitlick from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Pitlick, 34 (11/1/91), has tallied two goals, 24 penalty minutes (PIM) and 26 shots in 31 games with Minnesota this season and ranks fourth on the team with 76 hits. He has also collected 11 points (8-3=11) and 31 shots in 12 games with Iowa. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound native of Minneapolis, Minn., owns 111 points (58-53=111) and 565 shots on goal in 451 career NHL games over 11 seasons with the Edmonton Oilers (2013-17), Dallas Stars (2017-19), Philadelphia Flyers (2019-20), Arizona Coyotes (2020-21), Calgary Flames (2021-22), Montreal Canadiens (2021-22), St. Louis Blues (2022-23), New York Rangers (2023-24) and Minnesota (2025-26). He has tallied three points (2-1=3) in 22 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. Pitlick has also recorded 140 points (60-89=149) in 289 career AHL games in parts of eight seasons with the Oklahoma City Barons (2011-15), Bakersfield Condors (2015-16), Hartford Wolf Pack (2023-24), Providence Bruins (2024-25) and Iowa (2025). He was originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round (31st overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft. Pitlick was signed by Minnesota as a free agent on July 2, 2025, and wears sweater No. 19 with the Wild.
Minnesota hosts the St. Louis Blues tomorrow at 4 p.m. CT on FanDuel Sports Network and KFAN FM 100.3.
The fourth and final bunch of Iowa high school boys basketball substate championship games are now set after the second round of Class 4A games were completed on Friday, February 27.
Substate championships in Iowa’s largest classification will take place on Tuesday, March 3, with the higher seed serving as host in all eight games. Winners advance to Des Moines, Iowa and the Casey’s Center to compete in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys State Tournament beginning March 9.
Three-time defending 4A state champion Valley was eliminated by Ankeny, 72-36. The Tigers, who lost all five starters from a year ago, won just one game prior to earning a victory in the opening round of postseason play.
Cedar Falls, who has held the No. 1 spot in 4A throughout the season, scored a dominating 78-45 decision vs. Iowa City High to move on.
Colin Rice, a Nebraska commit for Fred Hoiberg, scored a single-game school-record 50 points as Waukee Northwest topped Iowa City Liberty, 101-58.
Council Bluffs Lincoln, Ames, North Scott, Dowling Catholic, Dubuque Senior, Johnston, Linn-Mar, Muscatine, Norwalk, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Des Moines Roosevelt, Urbandale and Waukee all joined them in the next round after winning games at home.
The 1A and 2A substate finals will take place on Saturday, February 28 while the 3A games go down on Monday, March 2.
Here are the Iowa boys high school basketball Class 4A substate finals for Wednesday, March 3.
Wednesday, March 3
Class 4A
When it comes to the Iowa Hawkeyes 2026 football season, it doesn’t get much bigger than Ohio State coming to Kinnick Stadium.
No one knows at this stage where the Buckeyes will be come Oct. 3, but Iowa has a chance to make an early impression against a team that is no stranger to winning the big one.
Iowa’s B1G schedule couldn’t get off to a worse start as they head to Michigan and then welcome the Buckeyes to Kinnick.
Hopefully for Iowa’s sake, their first three games against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa are enough to get them prepared. If not, things could get ugly.
ESPN Believes Ohio State is Iowa’s Biggest Opponent in 2026
The Michigan game will certainly be a test, but hosting the Buckeyes is a different animal. That gives the Hawkeyes an advantage like no other, and if there was ever a time to give OSU a run for their money, it’s in Iowa City on Oct. 3.
“The Hawkeyes haven’t faced Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium since 2017, when Nate Stanley threw five touchdowns as they stunned the Buckeyes 55-24. An early October win over Ohio State could propel Iowa into the Big Ten title and playoff conversations,” Jake Trotter wrote.
To put things into perspective, Indiana and Oregon were the other two teams that had the Buckeyes listed as their defining game in the 2026 season. Shockingly, Iowa was actually selected against a team, that being Minnesota. Seeing as that’s for the Floyd of Rosedale, it makes complete sense.
Iowa Can’t Let Regular Season Opportunities Go To Waste
Last year was seemingly the Hawkeyes’ first time to actually make the College Football Playoffs. They came up short as their losses to No. 16 Iowa State, No. 11 Indiana, No. 9 Oregon and No. 17 USC all added up. Sure, those were by a combined 15 points, but that doesn’t matter, as it’s bad enough that a three-loss team made the playoffs.
Iowa ended with a bang as they took down No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 34-27. Now, all eyes are on either Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown. One of those men will have a chance to make their first B1G start at the Big House in Michigan.
It doesn’t get any tougher than that, as Iowa is immediately putting their new QB into deep water. They’ll have three games prior to that to get up to speed, but other than that, it’s go time as OSU awaits after their trip to Michigan.
Don’t forget to bookmark Iowa Hawkeyes on SI for the latest news. exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!
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