UVA basketball commit Payton Dunbar talks faith, family, and future

James Dalpino and Miriam Chamberlain

5 mins ago

Payton Dunbar, who recently committed to the University of Virginia for basketball, spoke with WFXR Sports about her future playing career which ultimately guided her to make her decision.

GILES COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)–Payton Dunbar, who recently committed to the University of Virginia for basketball, spoke with WFXR Sports about her future playing career which ultimately guided her to make her decision.

Dunbar played for Jefferson Christian Academy and dominated on the court. She averaged 27 points, four rebounds, and three assists per game during her playing career. Most recently during her senior season, she was named Player of the Year by Max Preps for her 2023 season.

Surrounded by her loved ones, Dunbar joined a new family with Coach Mox at UVA. She says she knew right when she stepped on campus that UVA was the place for her.

“I knew the second I was on the visit that that was where I was going to be. The players made me feel at home and the coaches were amazing,” said Dunbar, “I mean, Coach Mox, she had just had a baby like two or three weeks before, and she showed up on my visit and I was just like, Dang, this lady wants me.”

Although hopes are an important part of her life, Dunbar explained how her faith guided her to make this decision as well.

“I’ve grown a lot spiritually here and that’s been like super big for my development in basketball because it all translates,” she said. “I think I found a home very similar to that at UVA.”

As a Hokie fan, Dunbar says she dreamed about always wanting to play at Cassell Coliseum. Now, that dream is becoming a reality as she’ll play there once every year, only this time repping Blue and Orange, and her family couldn’t be prouder.

“We were just happy that she’s close to home so that we can still go see games even if she’s not playing for the Hokies, we can still go watch her play,” said Payton’s father Torrey Dunbar. “And we’re going to be cheering for the Wahoos.”