Hoosiers Make Payton Sparks Transfer Official; Woodson 'Excited to Welcome Him'

Indiana made it official on Friday that the transfer of former Ball State big man Payton Sparks is now complete. He's played well at Ball State for two years, and Indiana coach Mike Woodson is excited about adding him to the team.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana basketball made the incoming transfer of former Ball State star Payton Sparks official on Friday morning, sending out a release that he is now officially a part of the Indiana program.

Sparks, a Winchester, Ind., native, played well during two seasons at Ball State, and entered the transfer portal two weeks ago. Indiana was always a dream school for him, he said, and he said yes soon after Indiana coach Mike Woodson offered him a spot with the Hoosiers.

“I really like the addition of Payton to our program for several reasons,'' Woodson said in the release. "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 a d 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.”

Sparks, who will be 21 in October, was the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year after the 2022 season. He averaged 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds and a freshman and had similar numbers — 13.3 points and 8.7 rebounds — this year as a sophomore. 

Sparks is the first incoming transfer in this cycle, and there likely will be several more. Three players are transferring out, junior forward Jordan Geronimo, sophomore guard Tamar Bates and sophomore forward Logan Duncomb.

Here is the complete release from the school:

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.

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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