Washington Wizards 2015 NBA Draft Prospects Primer: The Point Guards
Eastern Kentucky won 86-83. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Cameron Payne: So., Murray State
For years, Murray State has been one of the best low-major programs in all of Division I, but they’ve been rather bare on NBA talent. (Sorry, Popeye Jones.) The Racers narrowly missed an NCAA berth this year, but they still were good enough to reel off a 16-0 conference record – and reasons number one, two and three were Cameron Payne.
The lefty from Memphis was the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2014-15, averaging over 20 points and 6 assists per game, following in the footsteps of former Murray State superstar and current Philadelphia 76er Isaiah Canaan.
If the last few months have left you wanting the Anti-Ramon Sessions, you have your man!
Unusually for a point guard his age, Payne’s already developed a reliable floater, and he’s smooth as hell. On skill alone, he’s got what it takes – not shy from popping off shots from NBA range, Payne made big strides as a 3-point shooter last year while majorly slashing into his turnovers.
A good distributor on the fast break who excels at tossing lob passes, Payne plays with a confidence and a swagger that often can’t be taught. In the OVC, Payne was almost always the best player on the court, and he knew it – but, of course, the NBA is not the OVC, and Payne’s athleticism and physicality leave a ton to be desired. A skinny kid at 6-foot-2, Payne doesn’t have a quick first step to get by his defender and his speed and leaping ability both are lacking.
Even at the low-major level, Payne just didn’t get to the rack – according to DraftExpress, just under 15% of his shots in the half-court came at the rim – meaning that he had to lean on his floater more and more as a safety valve. If that’s happening in the OVC, it doesn’t bode well for what’s going to happen in the league.
Projected by most to go in the second half of the first round, Payne may very well be available at 19, but he wouldn’t really be on my radar.
Next: 3) Delon Wright