Who is Pryce Sandfort's brother? Meet Nebraska star's NBA sibling Payton breaking through on Thunder

Nebraska's Pryce Sandfort is not the only one in his family lighting it up in March. His older brother Payton, a standout for the Iowa Hawkeyes before suffering a string of shoulder and wrist injuries during his senior year, officially made his NBA debut for the Oklahoma City Thunder just last night.

After fighting through a grueling rehab process that saw him go undrafted in 2025, the elder Sandfort rewarded the Thunder's faith by draining a signature three-pointer in his first professional appearance against the Brooklyn Nets. The timing couldn't have been more poetic, as Payton caught a 6:50 a.m. flight out of New York this morning to surprise his younger brother in Oklahoma City.

The gesture clearly provided an emotional spark; with Payton watching from the stands in a red "Sandfort" jersey, Pryce exploded for 23 points and seven three-pointers to lead Nebraska to a 76–47 rout of Troy. The performance didn't just highlight the family’s sharpshooting genes — it secured the first NCAA Tournament victory in the history of the Nebraska program, ending a decades-long 0–8 drought in the Big Dance.

Before the two each had career-defining moments within 24 hours, they played with one another under Fran McCaffrey at Iowa. Get to know Payton, the older of the two who just made his pro debut.

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Who is Pryce Sandfort's brother?

Pryce Sandfort's older brother is Payton Sandfort, a former standout for the Iowa Hawkeyes who now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.

On Wednesday night, March 18, Payton made his NBA debut and scored his first professional points on a three-pointer in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Immediately following the game, he took an early morning flight to Oklahoma City to surprise Pryce at the Paycom Center, his new NBA home.

— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) March 19, 2026

With his brother watching from the stands, Pryce led Nebraska to a 76–47 win over Troy on Thursday, March 19. His 23-point performance was a cornerstone of a historic afternoon, as it secured the first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in the history of the Nebraska men's basketball program.

The two spent two seasons as teammates at Iowa from 2023 to 2025, where they combined their sharpshooting skills before Pryce transferred to Nebraska and Payton moved on to the professional ranks.

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) March 14, 2025

During their final season together in Iowa City, the Sandfort brothers became a focal point of the Hawkeyes' offense, often sharing the floor as a dual-threat perimeter pairing. Their chemistry was evident from the start of that 2024-25 campaign, most notably in a season-opening victory where they combined for 33 points and expressed how special it was to play one final year together in their home state. 

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What team does Payton Sandfort play for?

Sandfort now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, making his debut the night before his brother played in the NCAA Tournament. He was signed by Oklahoma City as an undrafted free agent in June 2025, after a senior season at Iowa where he battled through shoulder and wrist injuries.

Payton Sandfort scores his first NBA bucket ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/1ILZKyS205

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 19, 2026

Payton spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with the Thunder's G League affiliate, the OKC Blue, while completing his injury rehab. His persistence was rewarded on March 2, 2026, when he signed a two-way contract with the parent club. Just over two weeks later, he scored his first NBA points on a fourth-quarter three-pointer against the Nets. 

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Pryce Sandfort family tree

Payton Sandfort

A former standout at the University of Iowa, Payton finished his collegiate career in 2025 as one of the most lethal shooters in program history, ranking second all-time in career three-pointers. Despite a senior season hampered by injuries, he earned All-Big Ten honors and was known for his automatic release, culminating in a 30-point performance in his final game as a Hawkeye.

After going undrafted in 2025, Payton signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder and spent most of the 2025–26 season with their G League affiliate, the OKC Blue. His persistence paid off on March 18, 2026, when he made his official NBA debut and scored his first professional points against the Brooklyn Nets, just hours before traveling to watch his brother's NCAA Tournament opener.

Pryce Sandfort

Pryce followed in his brother's footsteps to Iowa City, playing two seasons alongside Payton from 2023 to 2025. A former Iowa Mr. Basketball, Pryce showcased his own perimeter prowess as a key rotation piece for the Hawkeyes before electing to transfer to Nebraska for the 2025–26 season to take on a more prominent starting role.

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2026

In his first year with the Huskers, Pryce became a breakout star, leading the team in scoring and setting a new school record for three-pointers in a single season. His 23-point performance was the driving force behind Nebraska's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, a historic milestone that he achieved with his older brother cheering from the stands.

Piper Sandfort

The youngest of the three siblings, Piper has continued the family's athletic legacy in Waukee, Iowa, where she emerged as a highly-touted recruit in the high school ranks. Growing up in a household of collegiate and professional shooters, she developed a similar reputation for her high basketball IQ and knockdown scoring ability.

Just like her brothers, Piper played college basketball, starring at the University of Iowa from 2021 to 2025. During her time with the Hawkeyes, she was a consistent presence on the wing, contributing to several deep postseason runs and maintaining the Sandfort tradition of elite perimeter shooting in the Big Ten.

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