Aggies Hopeful For Tonight's NBA Draft

He’s one of the best UC Davis basketball players of all time, and now Mark Payne is taking his shot at a professional career.

In the weeks prior to Thursday night’s NBA draft, the Stockton native has been working out with several NBA teams, including Cleveland, Boston, and Phoenix before finishing his pre-draft tour in Sacramento.

While Payne is certainly hoping to hear his name called in the draft, which you can follow live on ESPN, he knows that not being picked would not mean the end of the line for his career.

“Hopefully I’ll go mid to late second round,” Payne said following his workout with the Kings on Tuesday, according to the UC Davis Athletics website. “I’ve been working out with a lot of teams who have late second round picks, so hopefully one of them will choose me, but if not I’ll try to get on with a team for training camp. The NBA journey doesn’t stop Thursday night.”

During his senior season Payne led the team with 15.5 points per game and a field goal percentage over 50. He also led the team in assists and free-throw percentage. Payne scored his 1,000th career point early in the 2010-11 season, and finished the year as the Big West Conference’s active leader for career points. Payne received Big West Honorable Mention for his accomplishments this season.

Joining Payne in his attempt to make it in the professional ranks is Acampo native Joe Harden, who was named Big West Hustle Player of the Year and also received an Honorable Mention from the conference. He worked out with the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this week.