Murray State point guard Cameron Payne will forego his junior and senior season to enter this year’s NBA draft. A teary eyed Payne made the announcement today along with Racers coach Steve Prohm.
The 20-year-old Payne thanked his coaches for his experiences and their faith in him.
“This program as a whole, Murray State, has transformed boys into men. And I can see that inside myself,” Payne said.
In recent weeks, sports commentators across the country have speculated that Payne may be leaning towards an NBA draft, which would make him the youngest MSU player to go pro.
Since 1968, MSU has had 6 players drafted to the NBA; the most recent being Isaiah Canaan in 2013.
In two seasons, Payne averaged 20 points and six assists per game. In that time, he earned numerous recognitions including the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year award after the team took home a school-record 25 straight wins.
Along with the departure of three seniors, the Racers will look to bolster their roster this offseason.
