Troy Payne

Troy Payne (born May 8, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Citrus College and Santa Clara University before playing professionally in Australia and New Zealand.

Payne attended Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, California. As a senior, he averaged 16.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

In his freshman season at Citrus College, Payne led his team to a conference championship and a state title. In addition, he was second on the team with 53 steals and also earned All-WSC Honorable Mention honors. In 2007–08, he averaged 6.9 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game.

In his sophomore season, he was named to the first-team all-state JUCO team and was named the conference MVP. Citrus followed up in 2008–09 with another conference championship and a Sweet 16 appearance. Citrus won back-to-back conference titles for the first time in school history. He finished the season with averages of 10.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

In 2009, he transferred to Santa Clara. In his junior season, he led the team in steals (52) and was the only player to start every game. In 32 games, he averaged 4.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals in 24.5 minutes per game.

In his senior season, he was named the 2011 WCC Defensive Player of the Year. In 38 games, he averaged 5.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.6 steals in 24.5 minutes per game.

On November 3, 2011, Payne was selected by the Los Angeles D-Fenders with the final pick in the 2011 NBA Development League Draft. He was later waived by the D-Fenders on November 21 prior to the start of the regular season. He did not end up playing professionally in 2011–12.

In July 2012, Payne played at the Worldwide Sports Marketing (WSM) Invitational held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In November 2012, Payne signed with the NW Tasmania Thunder for the 2013 SEABL season. In 28 games for the Thunder, he averaged 14.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

In March 2014, Payne signed with the Otago Nuggets for the 2014 New Zealand NBL season. On April 21, 2014, he recorded the first triple-double in the NBL since Josh Pace did in 2012. In just under 40 minutes of action, he recorded 17 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a loss to the Wellington Saints. On May 22, 2014, he was released by the Nuggets. In 8 games for the Nuggets, he averaged 15.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game.

Payne is the son of Jerome Payne and the late Sandra Benjamin, and has six siblings: Tyrell, Jay, Andre and Monique Payne; and Tavon and Richard Walker.

Between December 2011 and July 2012, Payne worked as an intern with the Cleveland Cavaliers' basketball operations department. Then between August 2012 and February 2013, he worked in Los Angeles as both a personal trainer and a Brand Ambassador for marketing service MKTG INC.