Payton Sparks, Ball State center transfer, hearing from 3 SEC schools, per report

Payton Sparks announced that he was transferring from Ball State after 2 seasons with the Cardinals at the end of the regular season, and he’s already hearing from a handful of schools who want him on their rosters next season.

Sparks, who averaged 13 points and just under 9 rebounds per game last season, was perhaps Ball State’s top option and can contribute greatly at the Power 6 level. As of Monday, he’s heard from SEC programs such as LSU, Florida and Arkansas, among many other Power 6 programs.

The full list is below:

Ball State transfer Payton Sparks has heard from from the following schools per source.

Sparks averaged 13.3 points and 8.7 rebounds this season.

Georgia Tech
Wisconsin
Notre Dame
Utah
Oklahoma
Seton Hall
Dayton
Arkansas
Iowa State
Loyola Chicago
Florida
Butler
LSU… https://t.co/vJSHHgkL66

— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) March 20, 2023

Sparks totaled 11 points and 12 rebounds in Ball State’s late-season win over Kent State, an NCAA Tournament team. He also performed well early in the non-conference schedule, dropping 11 against Vermont and 18 against Indiana State, two good (though not Power 6 level) teams the Cardinals faced in November.

He certainly has the size, though. Sparks stands at 6-foot-9 240 pounds and is one of the best rebounders in the transfer portal. He’s also excellent at drawing fouls and was Ball State’s top scoring option within the 3-point line in 2023.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.