Northwest Notes April 17, 2024

Former Boise, Owyhee standout Payne transfers to Idaho

MOSCOW — Guard Jack Payne, who spent the last two seasons at Colorado State, has signed a letter of intent with Idaho, Vandal men's basketball coach Alex Pribble announced.

Payne joins the Vandals with three years of eligibility after spending two seasons at Colorado State. The 6-6, 195-pound guard appeared in eight games for the 25-11 Rams in his redshirt freshman season. He tallied two points in a 25-point victory over Virginia in the First Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

"Jack Payne is a Vandal through and through," Pribble said in a school news release. "His versatility and competitive toughness will be a huge addition to our team on the court, and his maturity and bright personality will be a huge addition to our campus community."

Payne adds to the influx of Idaho/regional players joining the Vandals. 

Point guard Kolton Mitchell of Lake City signed with Idaho two weeks ago after transferring from Idaho State, where his freshman season was cut short due to a finger injury which required surgery. Mitchell received a medical redshirt, and will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Last week, former Gonzaga Prep standout Jayden Stevens signed with the Vandals, after transferring from Oregon State. The 6-7, 190-pound forward comes to Idaho as a junior with two years of eligibility after spending two seasons with the Beavers.

Also, guard Titus Yearout (Lapwai High) was a redshirt freshman for the Vandals this past season, and forward Julius Mims played two seasons at North Idaho College before joining Idaho this past year.

Payne spent his senior season at Owyhee High in Meridian, where he led the Storm to a 24-3 record and the 2022 Idaho 5A state championship in the school's first year. He went on to be named 2021-22 5A All-Idaho Player of the Year after averaging 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game.

Payne was dubbed the back-to-back Southern Idaho Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was recognized as a three-time all-conference recipient, including being named First Team All-Conference in 2021 and 2022. 

Prior to transferring to Owyhee for his senior year, Payne recorded 15.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game as a junior at Boise High, en route to earning his first SIC Defensive Player of the Year title and First Team All-Conference honors.

Payne helped the Brave advance to the semifinals of the 2021 5A state tournament for the first time in 24 years, where they lost to Lake City.