Payne coming to the SEC

Three-star prospect Allen Payne was going to wait till the spring before he signed, but a change of heart on the first day of the early signing period has him headed to the SEC.

It was a head to head battle between Auburn and VCU for the 6-foot-6, 205-pound small forward from Cincinnati Winton Woods High School, and Auburn won out.

"I thought about waiting until the spring to see what happens, but I really always wanted to sign early, so I wouldn't have to think about it during my senior season," said Payne. "I went down to VCU in September and then went to Auburn about a month ago. Something just said to me that now is the time. Auburn is a great situation for me with basketball and everything else."

Payne, who averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior, is excited about the recruiting class he has joined and the future of Auburn basketball.

"I love the guys that I'm coming in with," said Payne. "Coach Lebo is putting together a team that can compete in the SEC."

Payne is the second Auburn commitment today along with Shawn Kemp. The duo is joined by Jalen Steele, Adrian Forbes, Heath Houston and Anthony Salter in the six-man Auburn recruiting class.