Photo by: Stephen Linsky
Payton Sparks Returns to Ball State
March 25, 2024 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State head basketball coach Michael Lewis has announced the transfer signing of Payton Sparks, a two-time All-Mid-American Conference star for the Cardinals who transferred last season from Ball State to Indiana.
"I'm very excited about adding somebody of his caliber into our basketball program," said Lewis. "He is not only a good basketball player, but he exemplifies everything you want in a student-athlete."
Sparks started all 62 games he played at Ball State as a freshman and sophomore during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. A Freshman All-America pick and the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2022, Sparks' 418 points in his first season rank No. 3 in Ball State history for scoring by a freshman. He shot 58.8 percent from the floor while being named a second-team All-MAC honoree the following year, before transferring to play with the Hoosiers.
The 6-foot-9 center produced 22 double-doubles for the Cardinals over two seasons. He averaged 13.3 points per game and was fourth in the MAC with 8.7 rebounds as a sophomore. Last year with IU, he appeared in 24 games with two starts, averaging 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds.
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"I'm very excited about adding somebody of his caliber into our basketball program," said Lewis. "He is not only a good basketball player, but he exemplifies everything you want in a student-athlete."
Sparks started all 62 games he played at Ball State as a freshman and sophomore during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. A Freshman All-America pick and the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2022, Sparks' 418 points in his first season rank No. 3 in Ball State history for scoring by a freshman. He shot 58.8 percent from the floor while being named a second-team All-MAC honoree the following year, before transferring to play with the Hoosiers.
The 6-foot-9 center produced 22 double-doubles for the Cardinals over two seasons. He averaged 13.3 points per game and was fourth in the MAC with 8.7 rebounds as a sophomore. Last year with IU, he appeared in 24 games with two starts, averaging 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds.
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