Payne honored to work out for Jazz

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 23, 2009 | by Jody Genessy Deseret News

Not surprising for a young basketball fan from the Salt Lake Valley, Geoff Payne admits he grew up as a huge fan of the Utah Jazz.

Though he has professional basketball aspirations, the former standout from Westminster College, Southern Utah University, Snow College and Alta High is just as quick to concede he'll likely never play for or against his favorite NBA team.

Which is why a phone call Payne received Sunday night meant so much to him.

Looking for one more player to participate in Monday's pre-draft workout, the Jazz called on the local pro prospect and reigning NAIA player of the year to join five NBA hopefuls for a tryout.

Payne, who began his collegiate career as a walk-on at Utah, couldn't have been giddier to accept the last-second invitation. He was hardly bothered that it came the night before his impromptu audition and only a day after he ran the equivalent of a half- marathon in the mountains.

"I was a little stunned, to be honest with you," Payne said. "I never thought I would be here. I was completely humbled by the opportunity."

Though he excelled at two different levels in college -- becoming the NAIA player of the year with Westminster last year after previously being honored as the Summit Conference newcomer of the year with SUU -- Payne called his workout with the Jazz an "eye- opener." He was very impressed by Monday's group, headlined by potential first-round pick DeJuan Blair of Pittsburgh.

"They're definitely NBA-caliber, and it was an opportunity and an honor to be here with them," Payne said. "There's a reason why they're here. They're definitely better than I am, and I'm OK with that."

The 6-foot-7 Payne was realistic, if not self-deprecating, while light-heartedly joking about his skill set and size.

"Here (in the U.S.) I'm too small to be anything big, and I'm not good enough to be anything small," he said with a smile. "I'm pretty sure nothing will work out here. ... But I think just the hard work and attitude part will help carry me through this (overseas)."

Payne didn't work out for any other NBA teams, and he won't be holding his breath for his name to be called during Thursday's draft. Rather, he's looking to pursue a pro career overseas. His Boston-based agent expects he'll have offers to play elsewhere by the end of the month.

Monday's surprise addition to his calendar capped an eventful weekend for Payne. Along with Father's Day visits to his parents' house and the in-laws and teaching a lesson in church, he also ran 13.3 miles in three different legs as part of the Wasatch Back relay race that started Saturday morning and ended late Sunday afternoon.

"It's been busy," Payne said, admitting that he was still "a little tired and sore" from doing his part of his relay team's 188- mile overnight run from Logan to Park City.

The Deseret News' 2003 5A MVP from Sandy, however, wasn't about to let some stiff muscles get in the way of being evaluated by the Jazz.

"I'm just grateful to be here," he said. "I was kind of in awe, to be honest with you. I was not expecting this at all. And to come here and have the opportunity to play with players of the caliber that are here is just an amazing experience."

Payne averaged 20.7 points on 65.2 percent shooting in his only year with Westminster. One of the highlights of his senior season, however, was meeting his childhood hoops hero and the dad of his former teammate Michael Stockton. Yep, that'd be John Stockton.

TAKING TYLER: ESPN.com draft analyst Chad Ford now is back to projecting that the Jazz will pick up North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough in the first round of Thursday's NBA Draft. Before updating his prognostications Monday, Ford had the Jazz taking Pittsburgh's Sam Young with the 20th pick and Hansbrough, a power forward, going to New Jersey at No. 11.

LAST CHANCE: The Jazz will hold their final pre-draft workout this morning at their training center. Today's lineup is guard- heavy with six backcourt players, including high-profile players Jeff Teague (Wake Forest) and Jodie Meeks (Kentucky). Utah Valley sharpshooter Ryan Toolson also will participate along with guards Patrick Beverly (BC Dnipro/Arkansas), Dominic James (Marquette) and Jermaine Taylor (Central Florida).

e-mail: jody@desnews.com