During the final few seasons under former Head Coach Fran McCaffery, Iowa Men's Basketball failed to find consistency. The Hawkeyes finished with a 17-16 (7-13 Big Ten) record and failed to advance past the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
After the Hawkeyes lost in the second round to Illinois, they did not receive an invitation to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. McCaffery was promptly fired the next day.
Following McCaffery's dismissal, nearly all the team members entered the transfer portal, effectively ending the McCaffery era in Iowa City.
One right spot among the Iowa struggles was Waukee, Iowa, native Payton Sandfort. Sandfort was a fan favorite who could shoot from anywhere on the court and was one of the few four-year players on the team.
Last season, Sandfort took on the brunt of the scoring after the leading scorer and rebounder, Owen Freeman, went down with a season-ending injury.
The Hawkeyes could not find a way to replace Freeman's production and limped to the finish line.
Following a solid senior season, Sandfort did not hear his name called during the 2025 NBA Draft, but was able to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the NBA Champions.
Mr. Sandfort is headed to OKC 👏@payton_20_ x @okcthunder #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/WK5BeAy6pd
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) June 27, 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder took a chance on the six-foot-eight sharpshooter, signing him to an undrafted free agent deal.
During his senior season, Sandfort averaged 16.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, earning an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. His numbers dipped across the board from his junior to senior seasons due, in large part, to multiple injuries and having to take on a heavier scoring load.
Even though his numbers dipped, Sandfort made a team-high 84 three-point field goals and shot 34 percent from beyond the three-point line.
Sandfort will attempt to earn a spot on OKC's roster next season, as there is no guarantee he will make the squad as an undrafted signing.