Michigan State forward Adreian Payne has decided to return to school for his senior season according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Payne, a 6'10 forward, averaged 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season and likely would have been either a late first or early second round selection in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Adreian Payne will return to Michigan State, according to report
With Payne’s return, the Spartans will be one of the teams to beat heading into the 2013-14 college season.
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Payne showed significant improvement in his junior season as he increased from 17.9 to 25.6 minutes per game. He nearly doubled his rebound output and also improved his per game scoring averages. Payne earned a second team All-Big Ten selection along with teammates Gary Harris and Keith Appling.
With the return of Payne, Michigan State should start as a preseason top-five team. Freshman guard Harris already announced that he would return for his sophomore season despite a first-round draft projection. The only contributor the Spartans will lose from their 2012-13 roster is senior center Derrick Nix.
The deadline for players to declare for the 2013 NBA Draft is 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 28.
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