Oregon adds another notable guard in Fred Payne

As we near the end of April, we’re getting a more concrete idea of what some of the top college basketball programs will look like next season. An entire month of transfer portal activity since the Tournament’s end has allowed teams and coaches to reload with talent and there’s a great number of programs desperately hoping to find that rhythm. After some struggles last season, Oregon landed their latest hit in Fred Payne.

A 6-2 combo guard originally from Grambling, Louisiana, Payne spent the first three years of his collegiate career out at Boston College. He did impressive work at three different high schools but stayed loyal to the Eagles and coach Earl Grant to begin his career. A knee injury severely limited his freshman campaign and he spent his sophomore year coming off the bench, but Payne really took a step forward this past season.

Oregon lands Boston College transfer Fred Payne

There haven’t been many bright spots at Boston College in recent memory, though Payne’s play certainly stood out during another tough season for the Eagles. He put up 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in his first experience as a full-time starter while becoming a real leader in that backcourt. He shot just 31% from beyond the arc but has potential to develop that aspect of his game as well and does great work at both backcourt positions.

Again, Boston College wasn’t exactly stockpiling victories or strong performances, but Payne really started to come on strong during ACC play. He found his footing during conference play and had several 20-point efforts. His season-high 26-point effort came in a nice overtime win over Syracuse in mid-January and he also had great showings in losses to Tournament teams like Clemson and Louisville.

It’s a new direction for Boston College this upcoming season and a new one for Payne just the same. He entered the transfer portal and nearly two months after his season ended has found his new home on the west coast. Payne joins an Oregon squad that has been really solid in recent memory, especially in comparison to the Eagles, but a program that struggled last season and floundered in a tough Big Ten.

Payne is far from the only notable addition for Dana Altman and his coaching staff, as he becomes the seventh piece of this transfer class. He had the most notable scoring production last season, but is joined in the new backcourt by prominent figures like Jasper Johnson from Kentucky and Tyrone Riley out of San Francisco. Altman is hoping he’s found the right mix and can get the Ducks back into contention but the real is question is how Payne will transition from Boston College and the ACC to this new landing spot.

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