Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
Meet the 2015 version of Elfrid Payton.
Like Payton a year ago, Cameron Payne is a somewhat unheralded point guard from a small school making an enormous push up boards as the draft draws near. Payne's a sophomore where Payton was a junior, but everything else is similar. Cool hair, a lot of steals, high-scoring averages with strong assist rates, a late arrival on first-round mock drafts, and even later, an arrival into the lottery discussion. The Murray State guard is the hottest name going just a week out from draft night.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | 20 | 10 | 6' 1.5" | 183 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 7.25" | 8' 1.5" | 35.5 | 8.5 | 6.3% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 20.2 | 3.7 | 6.0 | 45.6% | 37.7% |
| 2013-14 | 16.8 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 40.4% | 34.1% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Whether it was against lesser competition or not, Payne can really score. He sees the floor and changes speeds incredibly well, allowing him to navigate into tight spaces, find seams in the defense, and really get creative in generating offense for himself and others. He gets the pure point guard label because of his high IQ, and he fits a modern offense well thanks to what should be a plus-outside shot. Defensively, he's long and quick enough to be disruptive, with huge hands that can help poke balls loose.
Weaknesses: While his length is helpful, Payne has a few defensive shortcomings that could be magnified at the next level. He isn't always the most aware off-ball defender and is susceptible to being exploited on the block, in large part because he's currently quite weak. An NBA strength program will help him bulk up, but in the meantime, that strength deficiency is going to be a two-way issue - it limits his defensive upside and could make scoring inside a real challenge. When he got into the teeth of a defense, Payne wasn't a great finisher and didn't draw fouls at prodigious rates. With stronger, smarter NBA defenses, he could face similar problems to Payton, who measures similarly and shot 51.5 percent at the rim as a rookie.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
The hype train for Payne has been at full velocity since the college season ended, but some of the heights he's said to have reached seem unreasonable. He's been attached to teams as high as the New York Knicks at No. 4, but the Charlotte Hornets at No. 9 seem a more appropriate starting point. The Indiana Pacers are believed to like him a lot and the Oklahoma City Thunder may have given him a promise at No. 14. He's firmly secured his place as the third point guard off the board.
