Payton Pritchard Reflects on Mentorship from NBA Veteran

Boston, MA – NBA guard Payton Pritchard spoke recently about the impact veteran player Blake on his career development. In an interview with Derrick White on the ‘White Noise Podcast,’ Pritchard shared his experiences from a tough season where he did not see much playing time.

‘That year was hard, man. I wasn’t playing. Just sitting on the bench, trying to stay ready,’ Pritchard said. He credited Blake for motivating him during this challenging period. ‘He kept me sharp. You don’t get a lot of veterans like that anymore. He’s been the face of a franchise. He’s had all the lights, the commercials, the dunks. Now, he’s playing 10 minutes a night — maybe none. But he still shows up. Still leads. Still cares.’

Pritchard’s memories trace back to his high school days when Blake offered him mentorship. ‘He lives in my hometown. He would pick me up every day that summer and play me one-on-one. That’s where I kind of developed the love of one-on-one so much. We start in the post. I never won a game,’ Pritchard recalled.

After training with Blake, Pritchard blossomed during his sophomore season, leading his team to three consecutive state titles and earning accolades as state player of the year in 2014 and 2015. Reflecting on their competitions, Pritchard said, ‘I took a major jump. I became, like, the guy.’

Blake commented on Pritchard’s determination and competitive spirit. ‘Even though he was so young, he was a special basketball player. He was competing and fighting, and it helped me out. I didn’t take it easy on him,’ Blake stated.

Now, as an NBA champion, Pritchard is dedicated to mentoring younger players as well. He recently contacted his alma mater, Oregon, to recommend a potential prospect with talent. ‘I’m like, ‘Hey, this kid could be a legitimate…might not be your star player, but he could be a 3-and-D,’ Pritchard explained.

As he prepares for his sixth season in the NBA, Pritchard continues to apply the lessons learned from Blake, aiming to contribute to winning basketball in Boston and helping the next generation of athletes.