MOSCOW, Idaho -- Idaho men's basketball head coach Alex Pribble announced the commitment of Colorado State transfer and former Idaho Player of the Year, Jack Payne on Tuesday.

Payne joins the Vandals with three years of eligibility after spending two seasons at Colorado State. The 6-6, 195-pound guard appeared in eight games for the 25-11 Rams in his redshirt freshman season. He tallied two points in a 25-point victory over Virginia in the First Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

"Jack Payne is a Vandal through and through," Pribble said. "His versatility and competitive toughness will be a huge addition to our team on the court, and his maturity and bright personality will be a huge addition to our campus community."

He spent his senior season at Owyhee High School in Boise, where he led the Storm to a 24-3 record and the 2022 Idaho 5A state championship in the school's opening year. He went on to be named 2021-22 5A All-Idaho Player of the Year after averaging 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game.

"As an Idaho native, people will be very excited to watch Jack play in the ICCU," Pribble expressed. "He is an absolute winner, impacting the game in a variety of different ways. He is going to immediately help us elevate the standard in this program."

Payne was dubbed the back-to-back Southern Idaho Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was recognized as a three-time all-conference recipient, including being named First Team All-Conference in 2021 and 2022. 

Prior to transferring to Owyhee for his senior year, Payne recorded 15.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game as a junior at Boise High School, en route to earning his first SIC Defensive Player of the Year title and First Team All-Conference honors.

He helped the Brave advance to the semifinals of the 2021 5A State tournament for the first time in 24 years. 

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