Scouting Report – Cameron Payne

Name: Cameron Payne DOB: 8/8/1994 (20) School: Murray State

Height: 6’1.5 Weight: 183 Projected Position: PG

Wingspan: 6’7.25 Standing Reach: 8’1.5

2014-15 Stats:

20.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.9 spg 2.5 tpg, 2.4:1 A/TO (32.2 mpg)

45.6 FG%, 78.7 FT%, 37.7 3FG%, 57.3 TS%, 53.4 eFG%

31.4 USG%, 40.0 AST%, 12.4 TOV%, 3.6 STL%

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SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN

Offense

Perimeter Shooting

Payne is a good perimeter shooter, with the ability to hit his jumper off the catch or dribble, and with range to the NBA three-point line. Payne’s motion can be a bit unorthodox, twisting his body sometimes when he’s trying to create space for a shot, but he almost always does a good job getting square to the basket, with good lift and a quick release that lets him get off shots with little space. Payne does seem to have a low release point, shooting the ball out in front of him, and at just about 6’2, he needs to create space to get good shots off. He does use his dribble well to create space, as well as using screens, especially when he is acting as a pick-and-roll ballhandler. Payne’s shot selection is not ideal, though I would expect him to give the ball up more when surrounded by pro scorers. Still, he does have a tendency to force jumpers when closely guarded, and he sometimes tends to short-arm his shots when a defender is closing on him. Left-handed, Payne has shown the ability to hit his jumper off the dribble going in either direction, though he does have to watch letting his body float as he goes into his motion. He is a strong mid-range shooter off the dribble, again often using screens in pick-and-roll situations to create space. Payne moves very well without the ball, probably better than most of the shooting guard prospects in this class. While he could work on coming off screens tighter, he does a very good job using multiple moves and screens to create separation from his defender. Payne has also developed a strong short jumper or floater that he likes to shoot when he gets around the lane area, and because of his size, having this ability consistently will make him even more of an offensive threat.

Ballhandling/Penetration/Passing

Payne is a very good ballhandler, with the ability to use both hands well, and able to attack the basket in either direction. Payne has an average first step to the basket, but he does a very good job using his dribble to create space. He likes to use a very good hesitation/change-of-pace dribble to create separation, and while he doesn’t have great acceleration off the dribble, he does a good job keeping his head up and weaving through traffic, using any player out there as his own screen. Payne goes stronger to the basket when going to his left, though he can get to the rim and finish with either hand. He does have to watch his off hand when he’s handling the ball as he has a habit of pushing off, which he may not get away with as much at the next level. He can have trouble finishing around the basket, especially with long defenders there, and while creative when looking to finish against shot-blockers, he doesn’t challenge them consistently. As I mentioned above, Payne will rely on a floater when he gets into the lane area, and he is already much better at that shot than many guards his age over the past few years. Payne is at his best when playing as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, with the ability to find his own shots or set up his teammates. He is normally patient with the ball, waiting for things to develop, and making good reads. One area he does need to work on is getting his teammates the ball in better position for them to take a quick shot, and though his passes are generally strong and on-target, he has moments when he can be sloppy or careless with his choices. Payne does impress with his ability to make good passes off the dribble, especially with the strength he gets on them.

Free Throw Shooting

Payne is an above-average free throw shooter, with a consistent routine and motion, and normally, a good release and follow-through. On many of his misses, you can see the wrist on his shooting hand move towards the outside of his body, giving the ball a strange rotation and a flat arc. Payne doesn’t look to get to the basket as often as he shoots jumpers, so he doesn’t get to the free throw line as often as he could, averaging about 30 free throw attempts for every hundred field goal attempts. Even when he looks to get to the basket, Payne is hesitant to try and draw contact, often being creative to get shots off around shot-blockers.

Defense

Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)

Payne is an average, though inconsistent, defender, on and off the ball, but many of his issues could be fixed with more effort. On the ball, Payne is an active defender at times. He positions himself well between his man and the basket, and though he moves well laterally and shows above-average foot speed, he can be slow to react to his man’s movements, especially changes in direction, and his effort can be inconsistent. He has to watch moments of playing defense with his arms just hanging at his sides, or defending standing almost straight up, plus he needs to work on making his movements sharper. Payne needs to work on getting over screens, instead of going under screens or relying on switches to help him. Off the ball, Payne positions himself well and shows much better movement, denying passing lanes well. He does need to work on not getting caught watching the ball and giving up too much space to his man, especially when his man can knock down jumpers consistently. Also, Payne can get caught cheating too much as a help defender, and while he has very good instincts, and can create some chaos with his ability to make a play defensively, he takes a lot of risks that don’t always pay off. Payne does have a good ability to jump passing lanes, often playing back a bit to entice defenders to throw a pass Payne knows he can get a hand on. Though Payne measured just under 6’2, he has long arms for his size, and he should have little problem defending many bigger point guards. Payne closes well on perimeter shooters, and he often does a good job not falling for shot/ball fakes.

Rebounding

Payne is an above-average rebounder for his size and position, tracking shots well and having good instincts for where a missed shot will bounce. He is quick to get into position, using his body well to shield the ball from bigger opponents. Now, Payne often finds himself in position to get rebounds because he would end up out of position defensively, so I wouldn’t expect him to rebound as much at the NBA level, other than the usual long rebounds.

Transition

Payne has a lot of potential as a transition ballhandler, though his decisions need to improve. He shows good control, vision, and speed as he pushes the ball, though he will often settle for long pull-up jumpers instead of looking to get to the basket, or if a teammate isn’t open, pulling the ball out. Payne can be a threat to get to the basket in transition, using excellent body control to weave through defenders, though as in the halfcourt, he doesn’t like to challenge defenders waiting around the basket. He sees the floor well, and when he is looking to get the ball to a teammate on the break, he does a great job drawing defenders before giving the ball up.

Intangibles/Summary

Though Payne had an excellent freshmen season, he really took things to a new level as a sophomore, showing improvement across the board, and emerging as one of the best floor leaders in the country. The left-handed Payne is a strong perimeter shooter, with a quick release and long range, though shot selection has been an issue. Though he put up big scoring numbers, Payne has developed into a very good distributor, showing continued improvement as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, and while his decision-making is still a work-in-progress, his natural ability and instincts were as good as any point guard in college basketball last season. Payne doesn’t have great size at a position that seems to be trending bigger, but he has good length for his size, and defending at the next level shouldn’t be difficult He will need to adjust to the speed of the NBA level, and he likely won’t have the freedom to roam defensively as he seemed to have at Murray State, but he has the skill and athleticism to be a competent NBA defender. Physically, Payne will need to work on getting stronger, though he has a frame which should allow him to add weight/muscle fairly easily. He is still learning the game in many ways, and probably is just scratching the surface of his ability as a scorer and passer. To me, Payne is the best long-term point guard prospect in this draft.

Draft Value: Late Lottery – Mid 1^st Round – #10-17

Payne’s natural ability as a scorer and passer, especially with his comfort in the pick-and-roll, should have him coveted by many teams, and when you add to it that he just seems to be coming into his own as a player, there’s a lot to like about his long-term career prospects. Some may have issues with his size, but it shouldn’t be an issue, and he seems to have already shown that he has found ways to adjust his game on the floor to compensate. His first year or so may be a tough adjustment, but I have little doubt he will eventually be a long-term starter in the NBA.

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