Ball State Transfer C Payton Sparks to Indiana and back to Ball State

[WayneFleekHoosier]

UM had a really good backup center 

Reed. He’s a beast. Probably their starter now? Can’t shoot free throws worth a lick, but an absolute beast. We recruited him.


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[lillurk]

Yeah, as a long-term prospect Tarris Reed from UM is better. He might be a better player next year than Sparks. As a true backup, not a lot of teams have a 5 as dependable as Sparks will be.

Depth can be overrated, but after a year where it never materialized, some bench dependability would be really nice.

[ray]

I’ve watched him play many times. There was one thing that jumped out each time I watched him. He goes after…EVERY…missed shot. I’m not sold on him starting in the Big 10 in year one, but I’m sold on him fighting every day in practice to prove he belongs…and I bet he works his a** off to make it hard for the coaching staff to leave him rotting away on the bench.

I watched what turned out to be his final game as a Cardinal in Worthen Arena. He had just been brought back from sitting out a game due to an injury to his wrist. With his wrist taped up, he was still relentless on the glass and led all scorers for BSU with 20-something. This wasn’t an atypical game for him. In that same game, he turned his ankle towards the end of the game and he was clearly hurting. He was limping and hobbling up and down the floor, but he was still successfully going after everything that bounced off the board or rim. He was clearly frustrated each time Lewis pulled him, but Lewis didn’t keep him out long…he knew he had to keep plugging him back in despite the bum ankle and wrist. He’s a workhorse. He’s not a tall center, but a mighty one. 

I hate seeing him leave Lewis and BSU, but I’m glad he’s a Hoosier. He wants a bigger challenge, and he’ll get it. We’ll see how the Big10 treats him, but he was very good in the MAC.

As for the kid’s character, I’ve spoken with him a couple times. He didn’t know me from Adam, but he was respectful, humble, and kind. I think he’ll be another strong-character type Hoosier Nation will find easy to root for. There’s also something exciting about watching a kid wear candy stripes who dreamed of playing in Bloomington.

Lastly, Woodson may not be guaranteeing him playing time, but I would bet Sparks is willing and able to earn some…and to make the best of what time he gets. He’s a very capable passer, he’s passionate about rebounding, he has a knack for finding ways to score, he’s a tough player to guard, and he is an above-average interior defender. We’ll see how his game translates to the Big10 and Woodson’s offense, but I think it’s a good pickup and he should find some quality playing time.

[Stuhoo]

6 hours ago, ray said:

I’ve watched him play many times. There was one thing that jumped out each time I watched him. He goes after…EVERY…missed shot. I’m not sold on him starting in the Big 10 in year one, but I’m sold on him fighting every day in practice to prove he belongs…and I bet he works his a** off to make it hard for the coaching staff to leave him rotting away on the bench.

I watched what turned out to be his final game as a Cardinal in Worthen Arena. He had just been brought back from sitting out a game due to an injury to his wrist. With his wrist taped up, he was still relentless on the glass and led all scorers for BSU with 20-something. This wasn’t an atypical game for him. In that same game, he turned his ankle towards the end of the game and he was clearly hurting. He was limping and hobbling up and down the floor, but he was still successfully going after everything that bounced off the board or rim. He was clearly frustrated each time Lewis pulled him, but Lewis didn’t keep him out long…he knew he had to keep plugging him back in despite the bum ankle and wrist. He’s a workhorse. He’s not a tall center, but a mighty one. 

I hate seeing him leave Lewis and BSU, but I’m glad he’s a Hoosier. He wants a bigger challenge, and he’ll get it. We’ll see how the Big10 treats him, but he was very good in the MAC.

As for the kid’s character, I’ve spoken with him a couple times. He didn’t know me from Adam, but he was respectful, humble, and kind. I think he’ll be another strong-character type Hoosier Nation will find easy to root for. There’s also something exciting about watching a kid wear candy stripes who dreamed of playing in Bloomington.

Lastly, Woodson may not be guaranteeing him playing time, but I would bet Sparks is willing and able to earn some…and to make the best of what time he gets. He’s a very capable passer, he’s passionate about rebounding, he has a knack for finding ways to score, he’s a tough player to guard, and he is an above-average interior defender. We’ll see how his game translates to the Big10 and Woodson’s offense, but I think it’s a good pickup and he should find some quality playing time.

Sounds like the kind of player Hoosier Nation will absolutely love.

[CSP]

11 hours ago, lillurk said:

Yeah, as a long-term prospect Tarris Reed from UM is better. He might be a better player next year than Sparks. As a true backup, not a lot of teams have a 5 as dependable as Sparks will be.

Depth can be overrated, but after a year where it never materialized, some bench dependability would be really nice.

I'm big on playing 8+, 9+ guys... just a preference thing for me. Love what FAU/SDSU does with their guys. 

I hope we work towards that type of rotation. 

[maharkn]

If he could shoot from the outside he would be Thomas Bryant

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[hoosierbgh]

22 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Because I don’t think Sparks wants Edey, Omuirri, or Reese. But maybe he does.


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I don't know, Reese and the faster centers may be a problem but I think Sparks will handle Edey better than anyone IU had on the team this year. He's strong enough and gets low enough on defense that he can force Edey farther out and prevent him from getting the positioning that makes him hard to stop. 

[Alford Bailey]

If viewed as a Duncomb replacement then massive upgrade

[HoosierTrav]

We don’t need anything close to TJD to replace him. I keep seeing people calling Sparks a backup. We don’t need a big that the offense runs through. We need guards, wings, and serviceable bigs. Sparks is more than serviceable. I feel like some are going to be disappointed when we don’t replace one of the best bigs in our entire history. 

[bigrod]

9 hours ago, HoosierTrav said:

We don’t need anything close to TJD to replace him. I keep seeing people calling Sparks a backup. We don’t need a big that the offense runs through. We need guards, wings, and serviceable bigs. Sparks is more than serviceable. I feel like some are going to be disappointed when we don’t replace one of the best bigs in our entire history. 

Very true - we need someone who can come in and get rebounds, put-backs, and play D. Although, if he hit a 3 every now and again, I wouldn't mind at all.

[CSP]

What's Julian Reese ever done? 

[CSP]

9 hours ago, bigrod said:

Very true - we need someone who can come in and get rebounds, put-backs, and play D. Although, if he hit a 3 every now and again, I wouldn't mind at all.

He's not shooting the 3.. but he's going to score pts and not have plays ran for him. Thats huge for us. 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

What's Julian Reese ever done? 

Have you watched him play? He’s a good player. Passes the WayneFleek eye test. He’s gonna be a problem.


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[CSP]

Just now, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Have you watched him play? He’s a good player. Passes the WayneFleek eye test. He’s gonna be a problem.


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He seems soft. And commits stupid fouls, by my eyes. 

[Uspshoosier]

3 minutes ago, btownqb said:

What's Julian Reese ever done? 

Improved his scoring by 6 pt from his freshman to sophomore year.    3 more rebounds from his freshman year.   He has done what you would want a player to do from his first to second year.    Needs to work on FTs.   He probably also watched his sister win a national championship yesterday 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

[emoji106]


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[CSP]

3 minutes ago, Uspshoosier said:

Improved his scoring by 6 pt from his freshman to sophomore year.    3 more rebounds from his freshman year.   He has done what you would want a player to do from his first to second year.    Needs to work on FTs.   He probably also watched his sister win a national championship yesterday 

Yeah I mean, he's solid. Idk, I doubt he pushes Sparks around or dominates him. 

But.. he's a 4 that can't shoot. 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Yeah I mean, he's solid. Idk, I doubt he pushes Sparks around or dominates him. 
But.. he's a 4 that can't shoot. 

Lol


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[CSP]

Just now, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Lol


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You think he can shoot? Or ... 11p 7r is unworldly to you? 

[Uspshoosier]

3 minutes ago, btownqb said:

Yeah I mean, he's solid. Idk, I doubt he pushes Sparks around or dominates him. 

But.. he's a 4 that can't shoot. 

You never know in a 1 game setting.   Who knows what he would do.