FARMINGTON, Utah – Following a season where he was named an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention honoree and a member of the All-Tournament team, Jack Payne has been selected to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team.
During the 2024-25 campaign, his first in Moscow, Payne averaged 10.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. The Boise native appeared in all 31 of Idaho's contests last season, starting 30.
Payne turned it up during conference play, showcasing himself as an all-around weapon. He shot 62.3% from inside the arc, ninth-best in the Big Sky, and a defensive rebound percentage of 16.5, a top-15 conference mark, during Idaho's final 18 regular season contests.
The rising junior found his stride during the Vandals' two postseason games at Starch Madness, posting 20 points on 6-11 shooting, along with seven rebounds and three steals, in Idaho's second round victory over Portland State. Following an 18-point performance against Montana in the Big Sky Semifinal, Payne was named to the All-Tournament team, the first Vandal to achieve the honor since Victor Sanders in 2017.
The other players to receive preseason all-conference honors are the following:
Money Williams (MVP) - Montana
Terri Miller Jr. - Portland State
Jaylin Henderson - Portland State
Andrew Cook - Eastern Washington
Tre-Vaughn Minott - Portland State
Jack Payne - Idaho
LOOKING AHEAD
The Vandals kick off the regular season on November 3, with the 280th Battle of the Palouse at Washington State. Idaho's home slate begins with Whitman on Friday, November 7. Highlights on UI's non-conference slate include Big Sky-Summit League Challenge matchups with North Dakota and South Dakota State, a trip to the ACC's Notre Dame, a meeting with the reigning Big West Champion UC San Diego Tritons, and the return of the Holiday Hoops Classic in Boise the week of Thanksgiving. All of this leads to the opening of Idaho's 18-game conference schedule on January 3, at ICCU Arena versus Eastern Washington.
TICKETS
Tickets are available for Idaho's Holiday Hoops Classic on November 26 and 28. Watch the Vandals and Idaho State take on CSUN and Sam Houston State in downtown Boise. Tickets can be purchased through the Idaho Central Arena box office today!
Season tickets are on sale now! For more information, call the Vandal ticket office at (208) 885-6466 or visit GoVandals.com/tickets.
FOLLOW THE VANDALS
To stay up to date with Vandal Hoops, follow the team on Instagram, X, and visit govandals.com
