The best player on the Celtics' bench used to play against some of the best players the game has ever seen when he was in high school.

He might not be Victor Wembanyama on the basketball court when he is defending opposing players, but backup Boston Celtics combo guard Payton Pritchard takes issue with those among us who suggest that the the University of Oregon alum is not a good defender.

ORLANDO — The impact of Payton Pritchard on this year’s Celtics team has been perhaps the biggest surprise. The fourth-year guard is a frontrunner for the Sixth Man of the Year award, and has become a fan favorite because of his ability to hit threes in bunches.

The Massachusetts club is the most frequent at these attempts, leading the NBA with a historically prolific 51.3 attempts per contest. However, it’s not only about shooting, it is also about precision, as the Celtics 18.8 made threes per game are the most converted this year, at 36.7%.

You do not need to be a fan of the Boston Celtics to be dialed in to the meteoric rise of backup Boston combo guard Payton Pritchard.

Boston Celtics reserve point guard Payton Pritchard has been enjoying a banner year in 2024-25. He's already a leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year honor

Payton Pritchard is making a push for some NBA awards as his strong start to the season has continued a third into the season.

The the University of Oregon alum has launched himself to the front of the race for the NBA's 2025 Sixth Man of the Year award.