Events Calendar
In This Section
Zips get run over in second half
Zips get gobbled up by Wolfpack 66-45
Plenty of work waiting for Zips
Zips lose despite play of Murphy, Tamboue
Buckeyes' start fast in semifinal WNIT win
Bowling Green wide receiver might be tough for Zips to catch
Zips would rather forget 56-17 loss to Owls
Most Read Stories
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
Man allegedly paid teens to spit in his face
Angel Food Ministries helps stretch grocery dollars
Blogs:
Pets:
Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Hitchens leads Zips in second-half comeback
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Kent State blown out in second half, loses to Temple 13-47
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Bowling season starts today
All Da King's Men:
Headed For Disaster
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Will Health Care Reform Pass?
Akron Law Café:
Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
But Payne catches attention of long list of schools
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Apr 25, 2009
Adreian Payne has not eliminated the University of Akron from consideration as an outlet for his basketball skills.
Payne, who is ranked as the No. 11 junior in the country by Scout.com, was at Rhodes Arena on Friday night competing with All-Ohio Red in the King James Shooting Stars Classic.
Payne, a 6-foot-10, 215-pound center-forward from Dayton Jefferson High School, began considering the Zips last year when fewer colleges were interested.
But a spectacular AAU season in 2008 for the national champion All-Ohio Red and a productive junior year at Jefferson has caught the attention of the high majors.
Still, the Zips were mentioned when he was asked about the schools on his list.
''Kansas, West Virginia, UD [Dayton], Xavier, Akron and a lot more,'' said Payne, who averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks last season for Jefferson.
Scout.com lists Pittsburgh, Kentucky, UCLA and Cincinnati, among others, as seeking his services.
Payne had an official visit to UA planned earlier this month, but had to cancel it because of a commitment to the All-Ohio Red.
He said the Zips remain in the picture because he developed a rapport with Zips coach Keith Dambrot, whose team qualified for the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
''I liked the coach . . . his personality,'' Payne said. ''He came down to my school and he seemed like a nice guy.''
Payne is one of the highest-rated juniors in the country still uncommitted. Three of his All-Ohio Red teammates — Jared Sullinger (Ohio State), Juwan Staten (Dayton) and Aaron Craft (Tennessee) — have already signed letters of intent. Another teammate, J.D. Weatherspoon, committed to Xavier, but changed his mind.
Payne said his goal is to cut the list of schools to eight by the beginning of his senior year and take it from there.
''It's a big decision,'' Payne said. ''I really want to take my time to make it the right one.''
Payne starts for an All-Ohio Red team that won AAU age-group national championships in 2007 and 2008. Over the last three years, Red has a record of 150-4.
''He is long and athletic, super athletic,'' All-Ohio Red coach Quentin Rogers said. ''The sky is the limit with him. His potential is through the roof.''
On Friday night, All-Ohio Red opened play in the tournament by beating Playground Elite of Wisconsin 73-54.
Staten, whose Thurgood Marshall High School team lost to St. Vincent-St. Mary in the Division II state final, led the way with 19 points. Sullinger, who led Columbus Northland to the Division I state championship, added 13.
Payne, showing the ability to run the floor and move his feet on defense, had nine points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
In the first half of the 32-minute game, he grabbed a deep defensive rebound in the key, dribbled all the way for a layup, was fouled and made the free throw. In the second half, he went high for an offensive rebound, slammed it back for a dunk, was fouled, but missed the free throw.
''It wasn't my best,'' said Payne. ''There is always another game.''
The tournament continues today and Sunday at courts all over the area. It has drawn about 560 teams and 5,800 players ages 9 to 17.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Adreian Payne has not eliminated the University of Akron from consideration as an outlet for his basketball skills.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 02:01 PM, 04/25/2009
If Payne decides to commit to the Zips, watch out!Akron Zips basketball. Gonzaga of the East.
Posted 08:04 PM, 04/25/2009
Gonzaga of the east? More like "Memphis of the MAC". It rolls off the tongue better.
Posted 11:39 AM, 04/26/2009
More like AKRON of the EAST. Akron doesnt play like Gonzaga (a school that is only a few felons short of kent state).
Let's go Payne, pick smart but more importantly PICK AKRON.
Posted 02:11 AM, 05/02/2009
GO ZIPS! I love the UA coverage! If this kid signs with UA I want to see a front cover Beacon with a photo of Zeke and Payne together!
Regardless, UA hoops is ON THE RISE!
