Oregon Basketball's Payton Pritchard: 'I Feel Like I Can Go Against Anybody'

Former Oregon Duck basketball player Payton Pritchard was little more than a cheerleader one season ago.

Mark Lantz | May 13, 2024

May 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with guard / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

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Just a year ago, former Oregon Duck Payton Pritchard was little more than a cheerleader as the Boston Celtics had a wealth of talent at the guard position. That all changed this year as the Celtics cleared a logjam at this position. Now, Pritchard has been given the opportunity to shine, but does he have what it takes to do this during the NBA Playoffs?

“I think that’s really what it comes down to, all the work, the hours I’ve put in - It’s just built confidence,” Pritchard said. “Now I just feel like I can go against anybody.”

In game three of the Boston/Cleveland Cavaliers series, Pritchard provided a needed spark.

The Cavaliers, down by 23 points at one time, cut the lead to single digits partway through the fourth quarter. Pritchard then responded with one of the biggest shots of his career.

With 7:42 left in the game, Pritchard stepped inside the Cavs' logo at midcourt and buried the three-point shot to stem the Cleveland surge and increase Boston’s lead to 12. In addition, his basket started a 10-5 run and helped seal a 106-93 Celtic win to take a 2-1 series lead.

With Pritchard’s confident play, don’t be surprised to see his role increased as the Celtics continue their march to a championship.

The confidence Boston has in the former Oregon guard is reflected in his minutes. Consider the series against the Miami Heat last year, Pritchard played 12 minutes in game one, did not play in game two and 12 minutes in game three. Over the final games in the series, he was on the court for nine minutes combined.

In comprison, this year Pritchars has averaged 22.9 minutes per game and never played fewer than 18.

“It’s been good. I’m ready for it,” Pritchard said. “This is what I want to do and be a part of this. So that’s kind of what I talked about last year and that’s what I wanted. So, I knew I could contribute, and I wanted to help to help win a championship.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla promotes a growth mindset for all the players, including Pritchard.

“They have to feel like there’s a compass for them as (to) where they want to be two, three years from now,” Mazzulla said. “They have to feel empowered. And so, it just says a lot about our organization that when guys come in here, we don’t waste time we get better, and they feel that level of connectivity.”

Now that Pritchard is an integral member of this team, his play has earned accolades from his teammates including all-star Jayson Tatum.

“Payton is one of the most confident guys I’ve ever been around. He walks out there like he’s the best player,” said Tatum. “To have that confidence is special and we need him to be like that.” Sometimes, given all that Pritchard does, his shooting ability is usually an afterthought."

Published May 13, 2024

MARK LANTZ