I’ve watched a lot of high school and college basketball.

Payton has skills and basketball IQ. But that’s not enough to be a white big man. You either have to be super athletic, or have a super high motor (ala Tyler Hansborogh). Payton has neither. He’s not super unathletic, but he’s not athletic.

In high school, because of his size, his skills and IQ, he was great. He could score down low because of his size, and he could get his shot off from the outside because of his size, and he could rebound because of his size.

He never showed any fight, motor, desire or anything. He didn’t have to. But I knew that wouldn’t work in college. I knew he wasn’t athletic enough, so his only nance was a high motor. Which he doesn’t have.

If we break down they type of player he could be in these categories:

1. All WCC first team type player

2. Solid contributor pretty much every night but not All WCC first team type player

3. Contributes off and on. Never know what you’re going to get. But does have several
Solid performances.

4. Once in a blue moon shows some life but mostly does nothing.

5. Really never does much of anything.

Most thought when he committed he’d be type 1. Some are still holding out hope he wil be type 1 but really think he can at least be type 2.

I thought coming out of High School his ceiling was type 3, but 4 or 5 was more likely. I haven’t changed my opinion.

Again he has size and skills, but that’s not enough. You either need to be super athletic (like most black players), or have a high motor ( like Hansborough). Payton has neither.

Payton is much more skilled than Nate Austin. But Nate’s motor was so much higher he will have had the better career.