MSU Moorhead Athletics

2025-26: Played in all 30 games for the Dragons with 18 starts...was an effective scorer and rebounder for MSUM all season, logging 266 points for an 8.9 per game average...was third on the roster in total rebounds, pulling down 128 for a 4.3 per game average...shot an effective 56.2 percent from the floor while also sinking four three-pointers...scored in double figures 12 different times during the season with a season-high of 21 points against Minnesota Crookston on January 3, 2026...averaged 13 points and seven rebounds across MSUM's two games at the NSIC Tournament. 

Before MSUM: Spent the past two seasons as a member of NCAA Division I Western Illinois' roster, playing in a total of 31 games with three starts...played in 28 games as a redshirt freshman for the Leathernecks, tallying 71 total points in 381 minutes...shot 53.1 percent from the floor in 2024-25, scoring a season-high six points against Little Rock on February 22...prior to Western Illinois, played two seasons at NCAA Division III Wisconsin-River Falls, playing in 50 career games and averaging 15.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game...was named the WIAC Newcomer of the Year as a true freshman after averaging 14.1 points and seven rebounds a game...was also D3hoops.com Region 9 Rookie of the Year and All-WIAC Honorable Mention his freshman season...averaged 16.8 points and 6.3 rebounds as a sophomore collecting All-WIAC First Team honors...scored a career-high 30 points against Wisconsin-La Crosse on January 18. 2023. 

Prep: Played basketball for East Ridge High School in Woodbury, Minn., under head coach Josh Peltier.

Personal: Son of Emma and George Payne. Majoring in biology.