Payne latest entry in transfer portal
GAINESVILLE — Florida big man Omar Payne plans to transfer after two seasons with the Gators, who currently stand to lose six players from the 2020-21 roster.
The 6-foot-10 Payne averaged 3.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 15 minutes last season but failed to build on occasional flashes of brilliance during his two seasons in Gainesville.
Case in point: Payne’s first career double-double (19 points, 11 rebounds) during a Jan. 18, 2020, rout of Auburn was the only time he had double digits in either category during his freshman season. His highs this past season were 10 points (three times) and nine rebounds (twice).
Payne announced his decision on Twitter.
“I would like to start by saying thank you to my coaches, teammates, and all the fans,” he wrote. “Over the past 2 years here at Florida I’ve grown so much.”
Payne is the fourth UF player to enter the transfer portal, joining shooting guard Noah Locke, a three-year starter; third-string point guard Ques Glover; and reserve forward Osayi Osifo.
All-SEC guard and UF leading scorer Tre Mann declared for the NBA draft and is expected to be a first-round pick July 29.
Meanwhile, center Colin Castleton also declared for the NBA draft, but unlike Mann did not hire an agent and will have the option to return to school in 2021-22. The 6-11 Castleton, a native of DeLand, closed the year with consecutive double-doubles in the NCAA Tournament.
But the Gators are one of many SEC programs experiencing attrition.
Excluding Alabama and Arkansas, which just wrapped up their seasons, seven of the remaining 12 SEC teams have at least three players in the transfer portal, according to a source. Ole Miss has six.