@fullname - @sport - University of Minnesota Athletics

Photo by: Kristin Ostrowski

Payton Willis

Ht./Wt.:
6-4 / 200
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Fayetteville, Ark.
High School:
Fayetteville

PRONUNCIATION

2021-22 HIGHLIGHTS: TEAM CAPTAIN • ASHEVILLE CHAMPIONSHIP MVP • B1G CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOLLOWING THE MISSISSIPPI STATE WIN • B1G CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOLLOWING RUTGERS WIN • ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION.

2021-22 (Minnesota): Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention • ranked second on the team in scoring averaging 15.9 points per game • starting point guard that led the Gophers in assists (124) and steals (42) • two-time Big Ten Player of the Week • posted 13 points six assists and two steals in Kansas City win (11/9) • had 19 points and six rebounds in the win over WKU (11/12) • 2021 Asheville Championship Tournament MVP when he collected 48 points, 16 rebounds, two blocks, three assists and five steals • produced a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Princeton to secure the championship (11/14) • also played a career-high in minutes (45) • led the team with 17 points in the win over Jacksonville (11/24) ) • had 15 points, three assists in the win at Pittsburgh (11/30) • hit a crucial three-pointers and a pair of free throws en route to 24 points in the Mississippi State win (12/5) • named Big Ten Player of the Week after his performance at Mississippi State and Pittsburgh • posted 17 points and five rebounds in the Michigan win (12/11) • had 17 points, three assists and four rebounds in the Texas A&M CC win (12/14) • posted 14 points and 10 assists in the win over Green Bay (12/22) • had 18 points against Indianan (1/9) • had 15 points, five rebounds and three steals at Michigan State (1/12) • had 11 points vs Iowa (1/16) • scored a career-best 32 points and eight three-pointers in the win over Rutgers (1/22) • Named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week after that performance • produced a game-high 17 points against Wisconsin (1/30) • had a game-best 24 points and added 10 assists vs. Purdue (2/2) • scored 16 points, three assists at Iowa (2/6) • had 13 points, five assists, two blocks and seven rebounds at Nebraska (2/9) • recorded 18 points and 10 assists in the Penn State win (2/12) • had 13 points, four rebounds and six assists vs. Wisconsin (2/23) • scored 28 points, including 19 in the second half against Indiana and hit seven threes (2/27) • produced 21 points vs. Maryland (3/2) • had 16 points and eight rebounds at Northwestern (3/6).

2019-20 (Minnesota): Played in 27 games, starting all but two • finished fourth on the team in scoring (8.9 ppg), second in assists (53) and third in steals (21) • reached double-digit scoring in 10 games • opened Gophers career tying several career highs, contributing 17 points, eight assists, four rebounds, one block and a steal vs. Cleveland State (11/5) • scored 15 points, four rebounds and an assist vs. Oklahoma (11/9) • posted 13 points and two rebounds at Butler (11/12) • recorded three steals, two points and one assist at Utah (11/15) • scored 18 points on 7-of-10 field goal shooting adding three assists, one steal and a rebound vs. Central Michigan (11/21) • contributed nine points, seven rebounds, one block and a steal vs. North Dakota (11/24) • scored 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal vs. DePaul (11/29) • scored six points, four assists, one rebound and a steal vs. Clemson (12/2) • posted eight points, four rebounds and two assists at Iowa (12/9) • scored six points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals vs. Ohio State (12/15) • missed three games with an ankle injury • returned to action against Northwestern, scoring seven points, three rebounds and an assist (1/5) • scored seven points, four assists and a rebound at Michigan State (1/9) • recorded five rebounds, three points and an assist vs. Michigan (1/12) • scored five points, four rebounds, two assists and a block vs. Penn State (1/15) • scored 12 points, four rebounds, one assist and a block at Rutgers (1/19) • posted six points, six rebounds and one assist at Ohio State (1/23) • recorded four rebounds and an assist vs. Michigan State (1/26) • missed the Illinois game with a shoulder injury (1/30) • scored career-high 21 points with five rebounds, two steals and an assist vs. Wisconsin (2/5) • recorded three points, one rebound and a steal at Penn State (2/8) • scored eight points, four assists, two steals and a rebound vs. Iowa (2/16) • tied for team lead with 12 points, adding four rebounds, two assists and a steal vs. Indiana (2/19) • scored 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal at Northwestern (2/23) • posted five rebounds, three points, three assists, two steals and a block vs. Maryland (2/26) • scored four rebounds, three points, one assist, one block and a steal at Wisconsin (3/1) • scored nine points and three rebounds at Indiana (3/4) • scored six points, three rebounds, two assists and a block vs. Nebraska (3/8) • scored 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal vs. Northwestern (3/11 - BTT) • season ended on March 12, 2020, when the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions and championships because of COVID-19 public health concerns.

2018-19 (Minnesota): Sat out the season due to NCAA transfer rules.

PREVIOUS COLLEGES: Spent the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons at Vanderbilt and the 2020-21 season at the College of Charleston • started his college career at Vanderbilt where he started 16 of the 66 games he competed in • averaged 5.1 points, 1.6 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game in his Commodore career • started all 19 games he played in at College of Charleston as a graduate transfer and averaged 13.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 34.4 minutes of action per game.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas • averaged 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while also shooting 44.7% from three in his junior season and was honored as an all-conference and all-state selection as a sophomore and junior • Willis was ranked as the second-ranked player in the state of Arkansas, the 22nd-best point guard in the country by 247sports.com, and ranked as the 119th-best player in the nation by Rivals.com.

PERSONAL: Son of Curtis Willis and Christy Duggar • has three sisters - Elyse, Sierra, and Soletta • hobbies include playing video games and watching movies • earned his bachelor's degree in business from Minnesota • working on a master's degree in youth and development leadership.