The National Basketball Association’s Sixth Man of the Year award annually recognizes the best non-starter in the league, allowing overlooked talents to compete for nationwide acclaim. Typically, these players are buried behind the strong rosters of playoff teams, such as Payton Pritchard of the reigning World Champion Boston Celtics. 

The Celtics selected Payton Pritchard with the 26th overall pick of the 2020 draft from the Oregon Ducks. In his collegiate career, the 6 ‘1 point guard achieved school records in steals, assists, wins, and three-pointers, and league recognitions of Point Guard and Player of the Year. 

Since joining the league, Pritchard has developed his strengths as a sharpshooter and aggressive defender. His consistent ranged offense and passing vision spark the Celtics’ offense, while his aggressive defense produces turnovers and fastbreaks. Coming off the bench, he possesses the power to turn a game’s energy. During the recent title run, Pritchard garnered fame for multiple logo buzzer-beaters. Viewer Becket Cahill recalled one such shot in the finals, describing “You could hear TD Garden erupt. At that moment I knew we were adding a banner.”

Pritchard’s momentum has carried into this season, depicted by his breakout stats; averaging 17 points per game with a precise 43% three-point accuracy. His impacts are even more impressive considering his limited minutes; most nights active for less than half the game. When asked about the pro’s recent performance, sophomore fan Will Jones declared “Peyton Pritchard is the best sixth man in the league. His sneaky athleticism is underrated.”

Sportsbooks too have recognized Pritchard’s recent success, placing him as the heavily favored candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. Notable contenders chasing behind him in the race are Amen Thompson, an athletic power forward for the Rockets, and Buddy Hield, a consistent deep threat for the Warriors.