FAYETTEVILLE — Among the recruits in attendance at Arkansas' Red-White game Friday night was Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College small forward Daniel Payne.
Payne, 6-7, 210 pounds, is a first-team preseason All-American, according to The Sporting News, and is on the National Junior College Athletic Association second team.
Payne was on an unofficial visit Friday and won't start taking official visits until later in the year. Payne said he liked the Razorbacks' style of play.
"They like to press, and that is something I like to do," Payne said. "Arkansas plays well as a team."
Payne averaged 15.3 points a game as a freshman at Coffeyville.
In eight postseason games, Payne hit six three-point shots in one game and five in three others.
Coffeyville Coach Jay Herkelman described Payne as an impact player who can stretch the defense.
"Daniel is a very good threepoint shooter," Herkelman said. "His strength, though, is he plays so hard, and that is why he's successful.
"I have had close to 40 high Division-I signees in my 12 years here, and he will be one, too. He can play at that high level, too."
Payne is considering Arkansas, Illinois, Saint Louis, Wichita, Purdue and St. John's.
He said he plans to sign in the late period.
"I'm looking for somebodythat gets up and down the court," said Payne, who is from South Bend, Ind.
"I want to go to a place that competes every night. When things are hard, which team is going to fight it out?
"Off the court, in the classroom, how is the graduation rate? Which schools can provide me with the best major?"
Arkansas has four oral commitments but as many as six scholarships available.
One of Arkansas' seniors is small forward Sonny Weems, whom Payne would be asked to replace if he chose Arkansas. Herkelman said Payne could fill that role.
"He's an athletic wing player who shoots it well," Herkelman said.
"He has long arms and is very fast. He plays with a lot of energy."
The Red Ravens finished third last season in the NJCAA Tournament and are one of the favorites who are expected to challenge for a national title this year.
"I just want to win," Payne said.
"It's good to be on secondteam, first-team stuff, but I feelit's about the team and not myself."
Weems scored 23 points Friday night in the intrasquad game with Payne watching.
Payne said Arkansas should have a strong team when it opens the season soon.
"Their team overall is nice," Payne said.
"They play a good tempo, and I like that."
Claremore (Okla.) Verdigris guard Rotnei Clarke, 6-0, 175, also was in attendance Friday.
Clarke is rated the No. 14 point guard in the class of 2008 by Rivals.
Clarke has narrowed his decision to Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts, where his father is director of basketball operations.
Arkansas has commitments from Mendenhall (Miss.) Genesis One Prep point guard Terrance Joyner, 6-2, 170, and power forward Andre Clark, 6-10, 205, New Orleans Holy Cross forward Brandon Moore, 6-9, 215, and The Patterson School (N.C.) point guard Courtney Fortson, 5-10, 175.
Rivals' basketball recruiting guru Jerry Meyer said Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey is doing a good job recruiting.
Meyer is especially impressed with Fortson, whom he has rated a four-star recruit.
"I think Coach Pelphrey is taking a two-prong approach to recruiting," Meyer said.
"I think he is going after some kids who are a little under the radar, but ones he and his staff can develop into good SEC players. He is going against the big boys for some players as well."
Sports, Pages 44 on 10/28/2007