Indiana basketball announces addition of Ball State transfer Payton Sparks

The Indiana basketball program has officially announced the addition of Ball State transfer forward Payton Sparks. Sparks committed to Indiana on Wednesday and has two years of eligibility remaining.

In two seasons for the Cardinals, Sparks averaged 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He started all 62 games.

Below is the full and official release from the Indiana basketball program.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –

IU men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson has announced that Indiana native Payton Sparks, a 6-9, 240-pound, center will join the program as a transfer and have two seasons of eligibility. He comes to IU from Ball State where he was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference performer and was the 2022 MAC Freshman of the Year. He started all 62 games in his career with the Cardinals and averaged 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds, while shooting 56.0% from the floor. His 421 free throw attempts over the last two seasons were the most in the MAC and seventh highest in college basketball.

He was an IBCA All-State selection following his senior year at Winchester Community High School and Tri-Eastern Conference Player of the Year, where he played for Coach Dustin Baldwin. As a senior he averaged 19.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals. His rebounding totals were the third highest among Indiana high school players. He played his AAU ball for David Ramey with the Midwest Basketball Club.

He is the son of Tracey and Brianna Sparks and has a younger brother, Connor. A history major, he was born October 24, 2002.

MIKE WOODSON ON SPARKS

“I really like the addition of Payton to our program for several reasons. He is an experienced player with a great work ethic, who had tremendous success individually while at Ball State. He gives us an inside scoring threat who can defend and rebound. I really like his ability to fight on the offensive glass and his ability to draw fouls on the opposition, which was one of the best nationally, is a tremendous asset. He is an Indiana kid who has a strong desire to be a Hoosier and we’re excited to welcome he and his family to Bloomington.”

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