Ball State men's basketball senior center Payton Sparks was picked to the All-Conference Team and as the Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year by the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, the publication announced Friday afternoon.
Sparks is no stranger to Muncie after playing his first two collegiate seasons at Ball State before transferring to Indiana where he played the 2023-24 season. The 2022 MAC Freshman of the Year and two-time All-MAC selection enters his senior campaign with 880 points and 575 career rebounds.
Joining Sparks on the All-Conference team are Central Michigan guard Anthony Pritchard, Kent State forward VonCameron Davis, Ohio forward AJ Clayton and Toledo center Javan Simmons.