According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Cameron Payne could return to the floor before the new year:
ESPN Sources: Oklahoma guard Cameron Payne nearing season debut from fractured foot. Potential return date: Dec. 29 in hometown of Memphis.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 18, 2016
Payne was out of action after fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in the team’s preseason scrimmage.
After being drafted 14th overall in 2015, Payne played 12.2 minutes per game in 57 appearances (one start) during his rookie campaign, averaging five points, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 rebounds per game on .410/.324/.792 shooting splits.
Prior to being drafted, Payne was a standout player at Murray State. In Payne’s 2014-15 NCAA season, he averaged 20.2 points and six assists per game on 45.6% shooting. His play earned him Ohio Valley Player of the Year honors in 2015. In both seasons at Murray State, he was named to the conference’s First Team. In 2014 he won OVC Freshman of the Year. In 2015, along with his conference Player of the Year honors, he won the Lute Olson award, given each year to the most outstanding non-freshman NCAA Division I basketball player in the country. Past winners of the Lute Olson award include Kemba Walker, Doug McDermott (twice), Shane Larkin, and Denzel Valentine.
