Payton Dastrup is coming into his own as a basketball player. The 6-foot-9 forward from Mesa Mountain View High School (Ariz.) has worked hard to improve his game and basketball analysts and college coaches are starting to notice. Over the last year Dastrup has put in the work to match his skills with his imposing frame.
The end result has been an influx of scholarship offers from D-1 coaches. After a good spring he now holds offers from ASU, Utah State, UC Davis, Virginia, USC, and Arizona. More offers could come in as his game continues to develop.
Dastrup isn’t your normal recruit. His faith is playing a major role in his recruiting. Dastrup is of the LDS faith and is going to dedicate two years of his life to serve his church on a mission. He is planning to take his mission after his freshman year.
He believes that the mission will actually help his basketball career.
“I will benefit from maturity. I will be a 22-year-old sophomore. I will be a lot more mature than the other guys in my class,” said Dastrup.
He is considering a red shirt season but he didn’t seem that excited about it.
“I want a taste of the college experience before I go (on mission),” said Dastrup. “That way I have motivation to get back when I am on my mission.”
He said that most college coaches have been supportive of his beliefs, and he is very upfront with coaches
“The first question I ask them is if they would support my decision to go on a mission and most of them are very supportive.”
Dastrup’s game can be described as good and getting better. He is a strong rebounder and a very good passer, especially against the double team when on the block. His shot needs continued emphasis, but is an improvement from last summer, and should continue to improve. The potential is obvious as one can tell when he shoots free throws that Dastrup has a nice shooting motion from elbow positioning to release.
He needs work on his back-to-the-basket game, developing 2-3 scoring moves that he can trust under pressure. He also needs to improve on conditioning and strength, which will help his positioning in the post.
As of now Dastrup has two favorites in Arizona and Virginia. He likes Arizona because of the tradition and the coaching staff.
“I want a coaching staff that I know is going to be there, I don’t want to have to worry about a coaching change my sophomore or junior year.”
He also likes Virginia saying, “I like the ACC competition.”
Wherever he goes he just wants to find the right school.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the east coast, up north, wherever. I am going to go where it’s the best fit for me.”
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- Canyon Allis
- Arizona Insider - 247Sports