Sparks Newcomer of the Year and All-Conference in Blue Ribbon Yearbook

Ball State men's basketball senior center Payton Sparks was picked to the All-Conference Team and as the Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year by the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, the publication announced Friday afternoon.

Sparks is no stranger to Muncie after playing his first two collegiate seasons at Ball State before transferring to Indiana where he played the 2023-24 season. The 2022 MAC Freshman of the Year and two-time All-MAC selection enters his senior campaign with 880 points and 575 career rebounds.

Joining Sparks on the All-Conference team are Central Michigan guard Anthony Pritchard, Kent State forward VonCameron Davis, Ohio forward AJ Clayton and Toledo center Javan Simmons. Pritchard was picked as the MAC Player of the Year by Blue Ribbon.

The Cardinals are projected to finish sixth in the 12-team MAC by the publication.

Ball State's 2024-25 season officially opens on Nov. 4 at Georgia State in Atlanta for the MAC-SBC Challenge.

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

BLUE RIBBON FORECAST

1. Ohio

2. Akron

3. Toledo

4. Kent State

5. Bowling Green

6. Ball State

7. Central Michigan

8. Miami

9. Northern Illinois

10. Western Michigan

11. Eastern Michigan

12. Buffalo

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

F-VonCameron Davis, SR, Kent State

F-AJ Clayton, SR, Ohio

C-Payton Sparks, SR, Ball State

C-Javan Simmons, SO, Toledo

G-Anthony Pritchard, SR, Central Michigan

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Anthony Pritchard, SR, Central Michigan

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Payton Sparks, C, Ball State

Sparks Newcomer of the Year and All-Conference in Blue Ribbon Yearbook

Players Mentioned

Payton Sparks

Related Videos