From Overlooked to Unstoppable: The Shocking Rise of Payton Pritchard, NBA’s Most Unlikely Superstar
The NBA is a league built on hype. Every year, the draft delivers a new crop of “can’t-miss” phenoms—players anointed as future legends before they ever lace up in an NBA arena. But every once in a while, a player comes along who flips the script, shatters expectations, and earns everything the hard way. In 2025, that player is Payton Pritchard.
The Underdog Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s be honest: nobody expected Payton Pritchard to become a household name. A late first-round pick out of Oregon in 2020, Pritchard entered the league without the fanfare, without the blue-chip pedigree, and, most shockingly, without a guaranteed spot in the Boston Celtics’ rotation. He was too short, too slow, too “average”—at least, that’s what the experts said.
But five years later, Pritchard’s resume reads like something out of a basketball fairy tale:
– **NBA Champion (2024)**
– **Sixth Man of the Year (2025)**
– **Most Three-Pointers Made Off the Bench in NBA History**
– **Career 40% Three-Point Shooter**
And perhaps the most shocking stat of all? He’s done it all before turning 28.
Charles Barkley: “He Made Himself a Hell of a Player”
When Charles Barkley—never one to sugarcoat his opinions—was asked about Pritchard’s Sixth Man of the Year award, he didn’t hold back:
“You know what’s really cool about that situation? He built his game. He made himself a hell of a player. A lot of guys come in, they got all the hype and everything, but that kid made himself a terrific NBA player. You’re happy to see guys win awards like that.”
Coming from Barkley, a Hall of Famer who’s seen every kind of player come and go, that’s not just a compliment. It’s a coronation.
The Shocking Secret Behind Pritchard’s Rise
So, how did Payton Pritchard go from “just another guy” to the NBA’s most electrifying bench weapon? The answer, insiders say, is a relentless work ethic bordering on obsession.
Stories from the Celtics’ practice facility have become the stuff of legend. Teammates joke that Pritchard “lives in the gym.” He’s the first one in, the last one out, and the only one who asks for extra film sessions with the coaching staff. One assistant coach recalls finding Pritchard shooting threes in the dark after a late-night loss, muttering, “I’m not leaving until I hit 100 in a row.”
But it’s not just work ethic. Pritchard’s mind for the game is, by all accounts, elite. He studies defenders, learns their tendencies, and attacks their weaknesses. “He’s a basketball savant,” says Celtics star Jayson Tatum. “He sees plays before they happen.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s talk numbers, because Pritchard’s stats are jaw-dropping. In 2024-25, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds off the bench—while shooting a blistering 42.3% from three. He led all NBA reserves in three-pointers made, and by season’s end, he’d set the all-time record for threes off the bench.
But the real shocker? Pritchard’s efficiency. He joins an exclusive club of players—think Steve Kerr, Kyle Korver, and Stephen Curry—who’ve shot 40% or better from deep over a five-year span. And he did it while taking tough, high-volume shots against second units and starters alike.
The Playoff Heroics That Changed Everything
If there was a single moment that defined Pritchard’s ascent, it came during the 2024 NBA Finals. With the Celtics’ starting backcourt in foul trouble, head coach Joe Mazzulla turned to Pritchard in Game 4. What happened next became instant Celtics lore.
Pritchard drilled five threes in the third quarter, igniting a comeback that swung the series—and ultimately, the championship—Boston’s way. His fearless shot-making, combined with pesky defense and unselfish passing, earned him the nickname “The Oregon Outlaw” among Celtics fans.
“He saved our season,” said Jaylen Brown. “He wasn’t scared of the moment. He never is.”
The Sixth Man of the Year Race: A Shocking Upset
Heading into the 2025 season, oddsmakers had Pritchard as a long shot for Sixth Man of the Year. The favorites? Big names like Tyler Herro, Malcolm Brogdon, and Immanuel Quickley. But as the season wore on, it became clear: Pritchard was in a league of his own.
His impact was undeniable. The Celtics’ bench, once a weakness, became a weapon. Pritchard’s ability to change games with his shooting and playmaking turned Boston into a juggernaut. When the award was announced, there was no controversy—just respect.
The Critics and the Doubters
Of course, not everyone has been a believer. Pritchard’s size (6’1”) and lack of elite athleticism have always been targets for critics. “He’s too small to defend,” they said. “He’ll get exposed in the playoffs.” Yet time and again, Pritchard has proved them wrong, using anticipation, quick hands, and a high basketball IQ to hold his own.
And then there’s the “system player” argument. Some say Pritchard is a product of Boston’s ball movement and spacing. But league scouts quietly admit he’d thrive anywhere. “He’s not just a shooter,” one Western Conference executive said. “He can run a team, make plays, and he never backs down.”
The Shocking Off-Court Story
Perhaps the most surprising part of Pritchard’s story is his humility. Despite his growing fame, he still drives the same car he bought as a rookie. He’s known for spending hours signing autographs for kids after games. And in the summer of 2024, he quietly donated $100,000 to renovate basketball courts in his hometown of West Linn, Oregon—no press release, no cameras, just a handwritten note: “Pay it forward.”
What’s Next? The Legacy Question
Five years into his NBA career, Payton Pritchard has already accomplished more than most players dream of. But the shocking truth is, he’s just getting started. With a championship ring, a Sixth Man trophy, and a place in the record books, the question now is: How far can he go?
Teammates say Pritchard is hungrier than ever. “He wants to be the best,” says Derrick White. “He’s not satisfied.”
Some insiders whisper that Pritchard could eventually become a starting point guard—or even an All-Star. Others say his destiny is to become the NBA’s greatest sixth man, a modern-day Manu Ginóbili with a sharper three-point shot.
The Final Word: A New NBA Archetype
In a league obsessed with potential, Payton Pritchard is a reminder that greatness can be built, not just born. He’s the underdog who outworked the lottery picks, the shooter who rewrote the record books, the sixth man who became a champion.
As Charles Barkley put it: “You’re happy to see guys win awards like that.” But for Celtics fans—and anyone who loves a good underdog story—Pritchard’s rise is more than just a feel-good headline. It’s the shock of the season, the surprise of the decade, and proof that, in the NBA, heart still matters most.
