Assistant Payne won’t be departing for DePaul

The “father figure” of the Knicks’ Kentucky contingent isn’t heading back to college just yet.

Assistant coach Kenny Payne was reportedly a strong candidate to be hired as DePaul’s next head coach, but instead he will be staying with the Knicks, a league source confirmed before Saturday’s 102-96 win at Milwaukee.

Payne made the jump from Kentucky to the Knicks to join Tom Thibodeau’s staff this season, and while he was courted to return to the college ranks — meeting with DePaul’s leadership Friday night in Milwaukee, the student newspaper, The DePaulia, reported — he will be sticking in the NBA, at least for now.

“He puts the players first,” rookie point guard Immanuel Quickley, who had Payne as an assistant at Kentucky, said Saturday. “He’ll be there early in the morning, late at night, he’ll take you to lunch, help you with your homework. He’s almost like a father figure. He would be great wherever he’s at, but we are glad and blessed to have him here.”

Thibodeau said earlier in the week he would not keep his assistants from interviewing for jobs that would advance their careers. But it looks as if he has avoided two departures. Associate head coach Johnnie Bryant also recently withdrew his name from the University of Utah job, according to KSL Sports.

➤ Julius Randle’s absence with a thigh injury opened up some rotation minutes for rookie Obi Toppin and Kevin Knox. Toppin netted all six of his points in the second quarter, including an alley-oop from Alec Burks. Knox also provided five points in 12 minutes off the bench, including a go-ahead 3-pointer in the third.

➤ Reggie Bullock missed a second straight game with a sprained ankle, but Nerlens Noel returned to the lineup after missing one game with a sore shoulder. He had six points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in 31 minutes.