Before the NBA Draft took place on Thursday, the basketball organization held press conferences for the prospects. One of them included Cameron Payne of Murray State, who ended up being selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In a video exclusively obtained by the Gospel Herald, Payne told reporters that he could make a "big impact" on the team that ends up selecting him. In terms of height, he is shorter than the typical NBA player.
"Even though I'm small and look little, I feel that I can do really good things with the basketball," Payne said. "I would have an impact on any team that I go to."
One reporter pointed out to Payne that he worked out with the Sacramento Kings. He was asked on what he planned to do there if he was selected by that team.
"They got one of the best coaches in the NBA, George Karl, just got there, and he's 'run and gun,'" Payne said, noting that was his preferred style of play. "They have DeMarcus Cousins in talks right now, so it's kind of crazy."
Payne added that he would probably fit in with the Kings, given that the team was composed of a "young group."
The reporter asked Payne what he would bring to Sacramento if he was drafted by them.
"I'll bring my swagger," Payne said in a confident tone. "I'll bring that campaign mentality of chip-on-my-shoulder, come and work hard every day. I bring toughness."
Another reporter pointed out that Payne was just "a normal guy" only a few months ago. She asked him how the adjustment to the NBA Draft has worked out so far.
"The adjustment has been cool," Payne said with a smile. "The only difference is that there's a lot of stuff going on, like media. There's so much extra stuff, but I'm still Cameron Payne."
Payne emphasized that nothing has changed at all from his end.
"I may have the title of professional, but I'm still a regular guy," Payne said. "You can still call my phone. Nothing has changed."
The reporter then asked what the rise to the NBA Draft meant to the people back in his hometown. Payne replied that his legacy could leave a "big impact" on them.
"I think regular people and kids would look at my story and say, 'Man, I can go to the NBA!'" Payne said. "It's not where I have to be good when I'm five years old to make it. You can do it when you're 20. It can happen at any point in time."
A different reporter asked him how he could fit in as a point guard for the Kings. He replied that it was "a new day" in Sacramento.
"I guess [the Kings] need a new point guard," Payne said, floating his name up for consideration. "He's going to do his thing when he gets there."
Near the end of the video, Payne added that he had worked out with Rodney Hood of the Utah Jazz, Vander Blue and Jamil Wilson.
