The college basketball world has lost a notable figure, as former Michigan State Spartans forward Adreian Payne has passed away. Payne, who last played for Lithuania’s Juventus Utena from December to February, was 31. Former Ohio State Buckeyes player Jared Sullinger, currently playing for the Shenzhen Aviators of the Chinese Basketball Association, broke that news, and Chris Solari of The Detroit Free Press confirmed it:
Confirmed the former MSU star big man has died. He was 31. https://t.co/a9SkZvicHH
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) May 9, 2022
Payne spent four seasons with the Spartans from 2010-11 to 2013-14. In his senior year, he posted 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and led the Spartans to the Elite Eight. The Atlanta Hawks chose him in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft, 15th overall, and he spent time with the Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic (and their affiliated D-League teams) from 2014-18 before heading overseas, where he would play in Greece, China, France, Turkey, and finally Italy. But what many really remember Payne for is the friendship he struck up with eight-year-old cancer patient Lacey Holsworth during the 2013-14 season, which drew national media attention. Here’s a feature Big Ten Network did on that in 2014:
Holsworth accompanied Payne to center court on senior night, and she helped him cut down the nets when the Spartans won the Big Ten tournament (as seen at top), then prominently rooted for the team through March Madness that year. But she passed away that April. This news on Payne had many thinking back to their friendship, though:
One of my first proud moments as a writer was writing about Adreian Payne’s relationship with Lacey Holsworth. https://t.co/0dcJBGa0YS
— Jameson Draper (@jamdraper) May 9, 2022
#RIP Adreian Payne. A truly great Michigan State Spartan on the court, but I'll remember him for this more than anything. https://t.co/M1Tc2TMCls
— Brandon Champion: Low Ego, High Output (@BrandonthaChamp) May 9, 2022
If you’ve never watched the story about Adreian Payne and Lacey Holsworth, you need to watch to truly understand how easy he was to root for. RIP to one of my favorite college basketball players ever. Gutting. https://t.co/g8UwUi983M
— Chuckie Maggio (@chuckiemaggio) May 9, 2022
I grew up watching not only a Spartan Dawg but a man. He was a role model on and off the court. I don’t know if there was another player like him in MSU history. Rest Easy big fella. Thank you for being you. Spartan Dawg for life @Adreian_Payne pic.twitter.com/Uob3T6V8VN
— LUV (@LUVOliviaRose) May 9, 2022
Adreian Payne and his relationship with Princess Lacy was a huge reason I went into education at MSU. He was an awesome representative of our program and Spartan Nation.
Rest In Peace AP 💔
— Lifelong Jamo Truther (@MelvinIzzoIII) May 9, 2022
Our thoughts go out to Payne’s family and friends.
[The Detroit Free Press; image from the Michigan State Spartans on YouTube]
