Orlando, Florida (AP) Adreian Payne, a former Michigan State basketball standout and Timberwolves player, died in a shooting. He was 31.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a gunshot at 1:34 a.m. Monday and recognized Payne before transporting him to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
The sheriff’s office reported that Lawrence Dority, 29, was present at the incident. He was detained on a first-degree murder warrant following an interview with homicide detectives. “I’m in shock at the tragic news,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “We’re praying for his family, teammates, and loved ones. Adreian was beloved by his teammates and coaches, who valued his growth as a player and person. He arrived at Michigan State with
He possesses tremendous raw talent and has worked hard to achieve his dream of becoming an NBA player. Beyond that, Spartan fans will remember him for his compassionate heart, as his friendship and true bond with Lacey Holsworth captivated the nation.
According to Izzo, after graduating, Payne returned to the school on a regular basis and formed ties with players from various eras.
“I’ve heard from many of those players today, each one experiencing heartbreak and each one with their own fond memory of Adreian,” Izzo told the media.
Payne appeared in 107 NBA games throughout four seasons with Atlanta, Minnesota, and Orlando, averaging four points and three rebounds. In 2014, the Hawks chose him as the 15th overall pick, then traded him to the Timberwolves.
As a promising rookie, he averaged 6.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. In January 2018, the Magic waived the 6-foot-10 forward after he was named in an ESPN investigation detailing sexual assault allegations against former basketball and football players at the institution.
Payne made his professional debut with Juventus in Lithuania earlier this year. He also performed in Turkey, Greece, France, and China.
Payne, a native of Dayton, Ohio, started 94 out of 138 games for Izzo over four seasons, averaging 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds as a senior in 2013-14.
Brandon Wood, a former college teammate, said he maintained in touch with Payne and spoke with him as late as last month about his ambitions to launch a non-fungible coin.
“He was looking to start an NFT tied to the Spartans,” Wood explained in a phone interview. “I’ll never forget the amazing times I had with him and Draymond (Green) while we were housemates. If you’ve ever spent time with AP, you know he had a great heart and cared about people.
Magic Johnson, a Michigan State basketball legend, paid tribute to Payne on social media. “Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and the Spartan Nation!” “Adreian will be deeply missed,” Johnson stated on Twitter.
Payne met Lacey Holsworth, an 8-year-old cancer patient, at Michigan State and spoke at her memorial service in April 2014.
“I’ve had my moments when I’ve been mad at AP because he didn’t do something right,” Izzo said.
In a 2014 interview with Big Ten Network. “I’ve been thrilled with him, proud of him, and dissatisfied. Everything that happens during a coaching session. But till the day I die, I’ll never forget those two sequences in which I was given the opportunity to participate because of him.”
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