NBA Rookie Flies Overnight to Surprise Brother at March Madness

Pryce Sandfort thought his brother would miss the biggest game of his college career, but Payton had other plans.

Less than 12 hours after making his NBA debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder in New York, rookie forward Payton Sandfort was sitting courtside in Oklahoma City watching his younger brother play. He took a 3 a.m. taxi to the airport and caught a 6 a.m. flight, arriving just 10 minutes before Nebraska's first-round NCAA tournament game against Troy.

"He's been lying to me this whole week," Pryce said with a laugh after the game. "He told me he wasn't able to make it."

The surprise made an already historic day even sweeter. Pryce scored 23 points on seven three-pointers, leading Nebraska to a dominating 76-47 victory and the program's first NCAA tournament win ever. The game took place at the Paycom Center, the same arena where Payton plays his home games for the Thunder.

Wednesday night had been equally special for Payton, who not only made his NBA debut but also scored his first professional points on a three-pointer. Then he immediately headed to the airport to support his little brother.

The Sandfort brothers spent two seasons playing together at Iowa before Pryce transferred to Nebraska. That bond clearly runs deep enough to justify a cross-country red-eye flight on zero sleep.

Sunny's Take

Thousands of Nebraska fans packed the arena that morning, creating what Pryce called "the best environment I've ever played in." But seeing his brother in the stands after being told he couldn't make it added something no crowd could provide.

The coincidence of playing his biggest college game on his brother's NBA home court, just hours after Payton's debut, feels almost scripted. But it's the 3 a.m. taxi ride that tells you everything about what family means to these two.

"It was unreal seeing him up there," Pryce said, still processing the whirlwind 24 hours both brothers had just experienced.

Sometimes the best assists happen off the court.