Payton initially caught my attention during the break as she casually worked through some advanced moves to get into her shot. She made shot after shot with great form and elevation, making the skill work look effortless. When the competitive play began, she continued to shine with her ability to break down defenders off the dribble and create opportunities for herself. She also showed good court vision, recognizing when the defense collapsed and finding open teammates in position to score.

Payton holds more than a dozen offers, including Towson, Wake Forest, St. John’s, and most recently Columbia. She is a strong playmaker who does a good job getting everyone into the right spots and helping organize the offense. Payton is also a tough finisher who uses her athleticism to elevate and finish over the top of defenders around the basket.

Walters has returned from injury looking stronger than ever. She is a crafty shot creator who uses her ball-handling, patience, and ability to read defenses to create scoring opportunities, whether attacking the basket, finishing through contact, or knocking down pull-up jumpers. Defensively, she has great anticipation and instincts, generating steals, disrupting passing lanes, and turning defensive stops into fast break points.

Payton is a powerful and balanced finisher near the rim, often scoring through contact and drawing fouls for and-one opportunities. She’s also effective pulling up from mid-range. On defense, Payton reads passing lanes well, generating steals that she quickly turns into fast-break points.

Missed this AAU season do to injury and looks like she is fighting to get back on the court for the high school season. No doubt she is one of the better athletes in the 2027 class. She already holds multiple division one offers and this Summer has recently picked up an offer from Wake Forest university. A premier two-way player that can change the game on offense and defense.

Payton Walters Payton Walters 5'8" | PG Osbourn Park | 2027 State VA was part of a loaded backcourt for Osbourn Park. Payton was in foul trouble in the final, but I was impressed with how she finished the game. Payton is strong and has good balance as a driver. She is a terrific shooter and a great defender. Payton can play either guard position, but I think she shined as a lead guard. 

Very good first step which allows her to attack the basket at a high level. Good frame at the point position she can absorb contact and finish strong at the basket. Payton is the type of guard that can space the floor out and she can go to work! Great in transition opportunities with or without the ball she gets in good position to a bucket! She did a good job on closing the game to help her high school win its 1st state title last week!

Payton Walters Payton Walters 5'8" | PG Osbourn Park | 2027 State VA can be the hub of an offense, and I think people forget that she can be the centerpiece of an offense because of the abundance of talent Osbourn Park has. Payton had a couple of solid games for Osbourn Park in their state title run, but if you watch her this spring/summer, you’ll see exactly why she is one of the best guards in the state. Payton defends at a high level, and she plays both guard positions well. She can shoot, and she is a tough cover when she’s going downhill. She was great last summer, and she will be stellar this AAU season.

Payton Walters Payton Walters 5'8" | PG Osbourn Park | 2027 State VA was really solid for Osbourn Park as well. Payton is a knockdown shooter who can defend. She handles the ball a lot, and on a team that has a lot of elite guards, she may be the most natural lead guard. She had 9 first-half points. 

Payton Walters Payton Walters 5'8" | PG Osbourn Park | 2027 State VA had a fantastic freshmen season for Osbourn Park, and she followed that up with an outstanding summer. Payton plays either guard position and is an elite two-way player. She scores the ball at a high level and has a great understanding of the game. There is a lot of backcourt talent on this OP squad, and Payton may be the best of the bunch.