Cameron Payne: From Murray State Standout to NBA Journeyman

Cameron Payne's journey to the NBA was marked by perseverance and a relentless work ethic. From a relatively unknown high school player to a lottery pick and key contributor on contending teams, Payne has carved out a notable career. This article delves into his college statistics, his rise at Murray State, and his subsequent professional career.

Early Life and High School Career

Cameron Payne was born on August 8, 1994. He attended Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee. Despite growing significantly during his high school years, from 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) as a freshman to 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) as a senior, Payne was not heavily scouted by collegiate programs. He led Lausanne Collegiate to a Division II state title in Tennessee in 2013. Recruiting websites considered him a three-star recruit, but he was not ranked among the top 100 prospects.

College Career at Murray State

William Small recruited Payne to play college basketball at Murray State, and he chose the Racers over a few other schools. Payne's career at Murray State was transformative.

Impact and Recognition

Payne quickly became a key player for the Murray State Racers. In his sophomore year, he earned Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors. His ability to fill the void left by Isaiah Canaan drew attention.

College Statistics

While specific game-by-game college statistics are not available in the provided text, his performance earned him significant accolades and recognition, setting the stage for his entry into the NBA.

Read also: Cameron's Educational Background

NBA Draft and Early Career with the Oklahoma City Thunder

Payne's impressive college performance led to him being drafted 14th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2015 NBA draft.

Draft and Rookie Contract

On June 25, 2015, Payne was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He signed his rookie scale contract with the Thunder on July 10, 2015.

Debut and Assignments

Payne made his debut for the Thunder on November 1, recording three assists in four minutes. He was assigned to the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder's D-League affiliate, multiple times during his rookie season to gain more playing time and experience.

Injury Setbacks

In July 2016, Payne underwent a procedure to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. He suffered an acute fracture to the same metatarsal in September, causing him to miss the first two months of the 2016-17 season.

Trade to Chicago Bulls and Subsequent Career

Payne's time with the Thunder was cut short due to injuries and inconsistent performance. He was later traded to the Chicago Bulls.

Trade and Performance with the Bulls

On February 23, 2017, Payne was traded to the Chicago Bulls along with Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne. His time with the Bulls was marked by sporadic performances and further injuries.

Short Stints with Other Teams

After his time with the Bulls, Payne had short stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. He signed with the Raptors on July 25, 2019, but was later waived.

Overseas Experience and G League Return

Payne's career took him overseas to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) before returning to the NBA G League.

Shanxi Loongs

In November 2019, Payne joined the Shanxi Loongs of the CBA. He played in two games, averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 4.5 steals per contest.

Texas Legends

Payne returned to the United States and joined the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. He was named NBA G League Player of the Week in March 2020. During the 2019-20 season with the Texas Legends, Payne played 15 games and averaged: 23.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists.

Career Revival with the Phoenix Suns

Payne revitalized his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns, becoming a key player off the bench.

Signing with the Suns

On June 30, 2020, Payne signed with the Phoenix Suns. He played a crucial role in the Suns' success in the NBA bubble, helping them go undefeated.

Key Contributor

Payne's successful performance led to the Suns picking up his second season option. He continued his strong play off the bench, contributing significantly to the team's success. In the 2023 NBA Playoffs, he scored a career-high 31 points in a game against the Denver Nuggets.

Recent Career

Payne's career continued with several team changes, demonstrating his value as a versatile guard.

Spurs and Bucks

In July 2023, Payne was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, who later waived him. He then signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in October 2023.

Philadelphia 76ers

Payne was acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers in February, adding depth to their guard rotation.

New York Knicks

In July 2024, Payne signed with the New York Knicks, further extending his NBA journey.

Indiana Pacers

In October 2025, Payne signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers, adding depth and experience to their roster.

Partizan

In December 2025, Payne brought his NBA pedigree to Partizan, showcasing his talent on the EuroLeague stage.

Return to Philadelphia 76ers

Payne's journey came full circle when he re-signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Player Profile and Style

Payne is a dynamic guard known for his scoring ability, playmaking, and energy off the bench. He has shown resilience throughout his career, overcoming injuries and setbacks to become a valuable NBA player. His father, Tony Payne, was a youth basketball coach.

Career Statistics

Cameron Payne's career statistics reflect his journey through the NBA and other leagues.

Season	Team	Age	G	GS	MIN	PTS	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	VP
2019-20	TEX	25	15	13	29.5	23.2	9.2	19.1	48.3	2.8	7.7	36.5	1.4	1.9	75.0	0.5	4.5	4.9	8.1	2.3	0.8	3
2017-18	WCB	23	3	3	23.7	17.3	7.3	17.3	42.3	1.3	4.3	31.6	1.3	1.3	100.0	0.3	3.7	4	1.7	0.3	2.7	1.3
2016-17	TOT	22	5	3	26.2	18.4	6.8	16.6	41.0	2.4	7.6	31.6	2.4	3.2	75.0	0.2	3.8	4	1.8		-	1.2	1.8
2016-17	WCB	22	3	3	30.3	18.7	7	16.7	42.0	1.7	7	23.8			475.0				-		1.3	1.3
2016-17	OKL	22	2	-	20	18.6	6.5	16.5	39.4	3.5	8.5	41.2	1.5	2	75.0	0.5	0.5	1	-		1	2.5
2015-16	OKL	21	22	3	23.5	9.2	3.7	42.9	2.5	3.8	3.3	0.5	3.5	3.5
Total			25	21	28.5	228.5	18.5	45.9	2.6	7.4	35.5	22.5	81.0	0.4	4.1	4.5	72.1	0.6	2.6	2.6

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