The NBA first-round pick was found with a gunshot wound on early Monday morning, May 9 in Florida and was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
- May 10, 2022
AceShowbiz - Former Michigan State men's basketball star Adreian Payne has tragically lost his life. The professional basketball player died after being shot on early Monday morning, May 9, in Florida. He was 31 years old.
Adreian's former teammate announced the sad news on Twitter. Former Ohio State Buckeyes star Jared Sullinger tweeted, "Hate the news i received this morning…. Rest Easy to my brother/Teammate @Adreian_Payne."
The news has since been confirmed by authorities. The Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida announced it responded to a call at 1:37 A.M. of a man who had been shot. Cops discovered Adreian with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital, but he later died of his injuries.
A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said 29-year-old Lawrence Dority was identified as the shooter. He was arrested at the scene on a warrant for first-degree murder.
Michigan State 's men's basketball program is mourning Adreian's death. "I'm in shock at the tragic news of Adreian Payne's death," the team's coach Tom Izzo said in a statement. "Our prayers are with his family, teammates and loved ones."
He remembered the late athlete, "Adreian was loved by his teammates and coaches, who respected his development as a player and a person. He came to Michigan State with a ton of raw talent and put in the work to reach his goal of becoming an NBA player. Beyond that, he will long be remembered by Spartan fans for his kind heart, as his friendship and genuine bond with Lacey Holsworth touched the nation."
"Today is a difficult and sad day for the Spartan basketball family," the coach added. "Following graduation, Adreian regularly returned to East Lansing. In doing so, he developed and strengthened relationships with players from all eras. I've heard from many of those players today, each one experiencing heartbreak, and each one with their own fond memory of Adreian."
Adreian played four seasons with Michigan State before he was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He spent one season with the franchise before settling in with the Minnesota Timberwolves for three seasons, primarily playing in the G League. In 2017-2018, he played five games with the Orlando Magic. He then continued his career overseas.
