Payton Pritchard

Pritchard is an American guard who has developed into a key rotation player for the Boston Celtics after entering the NBA as a first-round pick in 2020. Known for his three-point shooting, playmaking, and competitiveness, he won an NBA championship with Boston in 2024 and was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2025.

Born Payton Michael Pritchard on January 28, 1998, in Tualatin, Oregon, he attended West Linn High School, where he won four consecutive state titles. He averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.1 steals as a senior and was named the Gatorade Oregon Player of the Year. He was a four-star recruit and committed to Oregon in August 2015.

At Oregon, Pritchard made an immediate impact. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.6 assists as a freshman and helped the Ducks reach the Final Four. As a sophomore, he averaged 14.5 points and 4.8 assists. As a junior, he averaged 12.9 points and 4.6 assists and was named MVP of the Pac-12 Tournament. As a senior, he averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds and was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, a consensus All-American, and the Bob Cousy Award winner as the nation's top point guard.

The Boston Celtics selected Pritchard with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, averaging 7.7 points and 1.8 assists. He reached the NBA Finals with Boston in 2022 and 2024, winning the championship in 2024. In 2025, he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

Pritchard is a pass-first guard with elite three-point shooting, court vision, and competitiveness. He operates as a secondary playmaker, spotting up from three and making timely cuts. His defensive tenacity and basketball IQ have made him a trusted rotation player for a contending Celtics team. He functions best as a complementary backcourt piece who provides spacing, playmaking, and energy.