Iowa
Iowa’s Payton Sandfort reacts to joining Oklahoma City Thunder: ‘First-class organization’
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Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum meets with the media on June 24, 2025.
- 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