Interest picking up in four-star Omar Payne

CERRITOS, Calif. – Four-star forward Omar Payne has taken his game to the next level this spring. The class of 2019 standout has developed a 15-foot and in game that has made his production more consistent, leading to a high-major college recruitment.

Running with the CP25 SE Elite program this summer, Payne has begun to pick up a number of quality offers and interest.

“Florida, Florida State, Louisville, Clemson, Maryland is on him pretty hard, Miami, Murray State and UCF,” Anthony Ricks, his travel program director, said. “Kansas said they are going to come and see him in July and figure out what they are going to do, they have been calling, along with Kansas State.”

Payne spoke on his two power conference offers.

Florida State: “I like the program and the coaching staff and how they treat people there. Wyatt Wilkes (former travel program member) has been giving me good information about them and how they will make you better as a player.

“I went there for a game when they beat Louisville. It was a packed gym and a great atmosphere. I like them a lot.”

Clemson: “I want to take a visit there but I like the coaching staff; they have come to some of my practices.

“They like how I evolved from last year and how I wasn’t doing some of the things that I am doing now and how I have gotten better as a player.”

Payne will finish out his junior summer with the CP25 SE Elite bunch on the adidas circuit as he hopes to get to a few college campuses before his high school year begins.

When it comes to selecting a college to attend, he does have a few things in mind for what he is looking for.

“I value how they develop their guys and if they use their big men at all.”

Payne's recruitment has yet to pick up but look for his stock to improve greatly this summer. Florida State and Clemson are the lone two power conference offers but Florida and Miami are potential fits for him as well.