Academy of Art University Athletics

2023-24: 2023-24 PacWest Defender of the Week (2) (Dec. 4, Feb. 19) ... Started in 18 of 29 games for the Urban Knights and totaled 716 minutes played … totaled 180 points, 62 rebounds, 53 assists, 54 steals, and eight blocks … shot 38.5 percent (60-for-156) from the field … scored in the double-digits six times … Game averages: Minutes – 24.7 … Points – 6.2 … Rebounds – 2.1 … Assists – 1.8 ... Steals – 1.89 ... Game Highs: Minutes – 31 (11/24 vs. Saint Martin's) … Points – 17 (2/17 vs. UHH) … Rebounds – 6 (11/10 vs. SSU) … Assists – 4 (four times) … Steals – 6 (2/17 vs. UHH).

Previous Experience: Payne comes to ART U after most recently attending Butler Community College where he played for the Grizzlies for three years before departing after the 2022-2023 season … During his time with Butler, the six-foot-two guard averaged 9.4 points per game over the course of 88 contests, which he accomplished with an average of 28 minutes per game … Payne shot a consistent 43 percent over the course of his three seasons and just under 35 percent from beyond the arc … Payne had a season high of 18 points against Hutchinson on 12/3 and ultimately led Butler Community College to the NJCAA D1 Men's Championship in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Personal: Parents are Reva and Tyree … Siblings are Tyree, Taylor, and Tristan … Favorite sporting moment was winning the Regional Championship ... Favorite food is BBQ wings … Favorite music is rap …Favorite non-sport hobby is playing video games ... life hero is his brother … Communications & Media Technologies major.