The recruiting world already knows about Payton Starwalt, but her performance at Section 7 only reinforced why she continues to be one of the most sought-after guards in the country.
The 5-foot-7 point guard from West Albany High School (OR) entered the event with momentum and left Arizona reminding everyone why she holds 64 Division I interests and offers and continues to draw interest from programs across the nation.
Competing against some of the toughest competition on the West Coast, Starwalt helped lead West Albany to a 2-2 record while showcasing one of the most complete offensive skill sets in the 2027 class.
Starwalt elevated her play when her team needed it most, averaging:
- 33.3 points per game
- 62% from the field (28-of-45)
- 63% from three-point range (15-of-24)
- 91% from the free-throw line (29-of-32)
- 6.7 assists per game
- 2.7 steals per game
Those numbers are eye-popping against any level of competition, but doing it on one of the nation’s biggest summer stages makes it even more impressive. Simply put, Payton Starwalt is the premier shooter in the state of Oregon.
Her range extends well beyond the three-point line, routinely knocking down logo threes that force defenders to pick her up the moment she crosses half court. Defenses are forced to adjust their entire game plan because of her ability to score from distances most players won’t even attempt. What makes her even more dangerous is that she isn’t just a catch-and-shoot specialist.
Starwalt is a true three-level scorer who can:
- Knock down shots from deep
- Create her own offense off the dribble
- Finish efficiently at the rim
- Punish defenders in the mid-range
Over the summer, she added even more weapons to her offensive arsenal, including a smooth step-back three-pointer and a difficult fadeaway triple that makes her nearly impossible to contain when she gets into rhythm. While her scoring grabs headlines, Starwalt’s overall basketball IQ separates her from many guards in her class.
She possesses exceptional vision and consistently creates opportunities for teammates. Whether it’s launching pinpoint full-court outlet passes, delivering perfect entry passes in the half court, or finding open shooters in transition, Starwalt impacts the game as a true floor general.
Her 6.7 assists per game during her final three contests at Section 7 highlight her ability to make everyone around her better. One of the biggest reasons for Starwalt’s continued rise is her commitment to improvement.
She is known as one of the hardest workers in the Pacific Northwest and continues to add new layers to her game every offseason. The improvements she showed at Section 7 were evident, particularly with her shot creation and ability to score in a variety of ways.
With 64 Division I offers and interests already on the table, Starwalt has established herself as one of the premier guards in the 2027 class. Her combination of elite shooting, playmaking ability, scoring versatility, basketball IQ, and competitive fire gives her a chance to impact programs at the highest level of college basketball. As her game continues to evolve, one thing is clear:
Payton Starwalt isn’t just one of Oregon’s best players—she’s one of the nation’s most dangerous offensive weapons in the Class of 2027.
GC3 Hoops National Exposure will continue monitoring Starwalt’s recruiting journey as she continues to cement herself as one of the top guards in the country.
