Vatan Paydak '27 Recruiting Profile

I was born on November 27, 2008, in Milwaukee, WI to Turkish parents.  I have been playing basketball as a point and shooting guard since 5 years of age. 

I am 6 feet and 4 inches tall and weigh 190 pounds, while my wing span is 6 feet and 4 inches. I started playing AAU ball with the AR Hawks at 10 years of age. I am currently playing for the ISO Joe’s 2027 team, which competes  in Nike’s EYBL Championship League. 

Academically I am doing very well. My GPA is 4.53 GPA.  I scored 28 out of 30 in the first official pre-ACT exam I took as an 8th grader which put me in top 1% nationwide. My this year's Pre-ACT test sore is 34/35.  

I scored 31 on my regular ACT Exam. I've been making the President’s/Honors List every year at Pulaski Academy.

I've been named as Shooting Guards to Watch by the Prep Hoops as "Vatan is a crafty and sharpshooting left-handed guard that can heat up quickly from the perimeter. He is great at picking apart opposing team’s defense with his ability to locate open space."

I always carry a positive attitude which reflects in my practices and games. All my coaches, including former PA and U of Arkansas standout Sammy Munsey, have praised me during multiple occasions, for my positive attitude, high basketball IQ and extraordinary work ethics.

I have also been playing school basketball for Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, AR, since 4th grade. I am very thankful to be chosen as the first freshman who made PA’s Varsity team in school history. As a freshman I started every game - averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and was named an All Conference player. During my  sophomore year I helped my team get to the conference finals, averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. I am  the only sophomore who made the 4A All State Team this year. 

Due to my Turkish background I have been under the radar of the U16 Turkish National Team and got invited to try outs in December 2025. 

Team camps and showcase games attended: 

-Madehoops Elite Camp in Dallas, TX 2022

-Chris Paul Elite Middle School Combine in Phoenix, AZ 2022

-High School Basketball All American Showcase in Little Rock, AR 2023 

-Coach Huber Davis’s University of North Carolina boarding camps 2023 & 2024

-Coach Jon Scheyerman’s Duke University Camps 2023, 2024 & 2025

-Chris Paul’s CP3 “Rising Stars” camps in North Carolina 2023

-Pangos All American Fresh/Soph camp in Dallas, TX 2023

-IMG Academy winter camp 2023

-Yale University Elite Camp 2025

-Stanford University Elite Camp-Registered to attend on August 2025