Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Adreian Payne was one of the last remaining college stars yet to make a decision on whether he’s be back for his senior season, or leave early and go pro. Well, the Michigan State big man has made his decision, according to multiple reports including Y! Sports.
Michigan State’s Adreian Payne will return to school for his senior year, a source told Y! Sports. Midnight deadline to enter NBA Draft.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) April 28, 2013
The big man weighed his options and came out with the decision to stay a Spartan for one more year. If he were to leave after his junior season, Payne was projected to be a late-first, early-second round pick at best.
He relied upon coach Tom Izzo to gather enough information on where he’d land and the money situation to come with it. Payne started out the 2012-2013 season slowly before heating up in the second half of the year, ultimately building his draft stock so much that many people believe he will be a lottery pick next season if he is as productive as he was near the end of the year.
Payne is a talented power forward/center that can put up points while defending with the best of them.
He finished last season leading the Spartans in rebounds with 7.6 per game and blocks with 1.3, all while scoring 10.5 points per game — the highest mark in his three-year college career.
Michigan State is relieved to have the monster athletic specimen back for his senior year because that means MSU is now a favorite to win the national title. Many had them at No. 2 preseason if Payne came back — and he did.
Great news for Michigan State and smart move by Payne.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
