When the Murray State Racers lost leading scorer Isaiah Cannan after the 2012-13 season, the team was looking for a player to step up in his absence. Luckily, it didn’t take long for someone to take on the challenge as Cameron Payne has proven to be the team’s go-to option.
Payne entered the 2013-14 season as an unheralded freshman, but he quickly became the team’s most reliable option.
Payne averaged 16.8 points for the Racers, and despite failing to make either the NCAA or NIT postseason tournament, He–and the Racers–put the Ohio Valley Conference on notice.
This season, Murray State is cruising into the Ohio Valley Tournament, and Payne has taken the next step in his collegiate playing career. The sophomore guard has put up 19 points and 5.9 assists a game for the Racers, placing him in the conversation as one college basketball’s most under-appreciated stars.
Murray State head coach, Steve Prohm, spoke to NBCSports.com on Payne’s ability to take over the game.
“He has the ability to make a special player every possession, but just make the great play when you have to make the great play. Hit singles and doubles, make the hone run when you have to.”
Murray State is a team to keep an eye on leading up to March Madness, and with Cameron Payne leading the charge the team will not go down easy.