Iowa

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort reacts to joining Oklahoma City Thunder: ‘First-class organization’

Published

6 months ago

June 28, 2025

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Iowa’s Payton Sandfort reacts to joining Oklahoma City Thunder: ‘First-class organization’

Undrafted Iowa Hawkeyes basketball player Payton Sandfort has signed with the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sandfort visited the Thunder during the NBA Finals and was impressed by the organization and arena atmosphere.
Recovering from multiple injuries, Sandfort will focus on rehabilitation and is expected to return to play by November.
The Thunder value Sandfort’s shooting ability, team-oriented mindset, and overall potential for development.

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

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Iowa

Iowa man charged in connection to horse-drawn buggy crash that killed teen

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Iowa man charged in connection to horse-drawn buggy crash that killed teen

CLARKE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – An Iowa man was charged Friday in connection to a deadly horse-drawn buggy crash that killed a teenager last month.

Jacob Wright, 41, of Grand River, is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.

The crash happened in Clarke County on November 12. According to the crash report, Wright’s car hit the back of the buggy and ran it into a ditch.

Elmer Borntrager, 16, was thrown from the buggy and died at the scene.

Police found Wright’s damaged vehicle days later about five miles from the crash scene.

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How much snow did we get? See Iowa snowfall totals from Thursday.

Published

21 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

How much snow did we get? See Iowa snowfall totals from Thursday.

Another round of snow swept through Iowa, leaving more than 3 inches in some parts of the state.

Flurries began falling in Des Moines around noon on Thursday, Dec. 11, and persisted until late in the evening.

Here’s a look at the highest snowfall totals in Iowa as of 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, according to the National Weather Service.

What were the highest Iowa snowfall totals?

West Burlington: 4 inches
Parnell: 3.8 inches
Salem: 3.8 inches
Mooar: 3.6 inches
Webster City: 3.5 inches
Muscatine: 3 inches
Yarmouth: 3 inches
Williamstown: 3 inches
New London: 2.8 inches
Riverside: 2.8 inches
Ottumwa: 2.8 inches

How much snow did Des Moines get?

Over an inch of snow fell at the Des Moines International Airport, with the National Weather Service reporting 1.1 inches as of 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11.

Grimes reported 1.3 inches of snow and other reports from the Des Moines area were around 1 inch.

Nevada in Story County reported 0.5 inches

How much snow did Iowa City get?

No reports were received from Iowa City, according to the National Weather Service. Nearby University Heights reported 1.5 inches. Oakdale reported 2 inches and North Liberty reported 1.3 inches of snow.

When is the next chance for snowfall in Des Moines?

Another round of snow is expected to begin Friday night and continue into Saturday, Dec. 13, in the afternoon.

Des Moines is projected to receive between 2 and 4 inches of snow during this time. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Des Moines from 12 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The advisory is also in effect in cities spanning from Sioux City to Davenport.

Temperatures are also expected to drop during the weekend, with daytime highs of 9 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, and lows of 10 degrees below zero on Saturday and 1 degree below zero on Sunday.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

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Iowa

Iowa women’s wrestling goes on the road to defeat Grand View

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Iowa women’s wrestling goes on the road to defeat Grand View

While Iowa women’s wrestling rolled Grand View, 32-10, on Dec. 11 at Waukee Northwest High School, the Vikings provided a worthy challenge in Central Iowa.

The Hawkeyes and Grand View were the second leg of a doubleheader, with a high school dual between Raccoon River Wrestling and Ankeny, the top two teams at last season’s IGHSAU state meet, happening earlier in the night.

The Hawkeyes won each match that was held, but did not send a wrestler at 160 pounds, while Grand View did not participate at 180, so each team took one forfeit. In the eight matches held, Iowa won all of them and two by bonus points at 131 and 145. A sizeable chunk of Iowa’s top starters didn’t wrestle, but Grand View fought tough nonetheless.

“They’re (Grand View) scrappy and they fight hard,” said Iowa coach Clarissa Chun.

The Hawkeyes opened with four wins by decision from 103 to 124 against top-end wrestlers in the NAIA division. Sterling Dias earned a 3-0 decision over Judy Sandova (No. 2 in NAIA) at 103, followed by an 8-2 victory for Nyla Valencia over Tristan Nitta (No. 5 in NAIA) at 110 and a 9-2 decision for Brianna Gonzalez over Mayangelie Colon (No. 3 in NAIA) at 117.

In one of the best wins of the night, Cali Leng downed Catharine Campbell (No. 3 in NAIA) at 124 by a 9-1 decision. Her front headlocks and control of the hand fight led to her rotating behind Campbell for multiple takedowns.

“She’s got a big gas tank and a big heart,” Chun said. “She found ways to adjust and put points on the board.”

Emily Frost won at 131 pounds as she normally does, locking up a headlock and tossing Maya Davis for a win by fall in the first period. Iowa native Lilly Luft followed that pin with a tough win by decision, trailing by criteria at 6-6, but securing two takedowns late in the second period to defeat Adrienna Turner, 10-6. Before the two forfeits, Cadence Diduch rolled in a 10-0 technical fall of Sofia Delgado at 145 pounds.

In the final bout of the night, Libby Dix gave fans at Waukee Northwest a show. Trailing by criteria at 2-2, Dix scored a late step-out point with just a few seconds remaining to clinch the win. While she hadn’t wrestled a ton of freestyle before her college career, she won with her awareness late to score on the one-point action unique to freestyle.

“She’s a gamer,” Chun said. “She’s competitive. If she wasn’t, she would’ve been hung up on losing the match 2-2, but she wanted to go get one.”

The Hawkeyes have one more test before going off on winter break, traveling to Naperville, Ill. on Dec. 14 for the North Central Open.

Iowa women’s wrestling vs. Grand View box score

103: Sterling Dias (IOWA) over Judy Sandoval (GVU) (Dec 3-0)
110: Nyla Valencia (IOWA) over Tristan Nitta (GVU) (Dec 8-2)
117: Brianna Gonzalez (IOWA) over Mayangelie Colon (GVU) (Dec 9-2)
124: Cali Leng (IOWA) over Catharine Campbell (GVU) (Dec 8-1)
131: Emily Frost (IOWA) over Maya Davis (GVU) (Fall 2:21)
138: Lilly Luft (IOWA) over Adrienna Turner (GVU) (Dec 10-6)
145: Cadence Diduch (IOWA) over Sofia Delgado (GVU) (TF 10-0 2:08)
160: Kami Senlycki (GVU) over (IOWA) (For.)
180: Katja Osteen (IOWA) over (GVU) (For.)
207: Libby Dix (IOWA) over Andjela Prijovic (GVU) (Dec 3-2)

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.

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