Former Michigan State Star Adreian Payne Shot And Killed In Florida

Based on what we saw on the court, we respected former Michigan State big man Adreian Payne. He was a solid big man and a guy who worked very well in Tom Izzo’s system.

And his relationship with a terminally ill child named Lacey Holsworth was deeply touching. It reminded us of why we couldn’t really hate former UNC star Eric Montross, who had a similar situation. We found his grief deeply moving. Who could hate a guy who put himself on the line like that?

Very sadly, Payne was murdered Tuesday when he and his girlfriend tried to help a friend of hers who was having a fight with her (we assume) boyfriend, who went back inside, came out with a gun, and shot Payne.

He died an hour later at a hospital.

We always liked the guy from afar but we had no idea of just how much he overcame and how much heart he showed. It’s a senseless crime. We can’t imagine what his family is going through.

With his death, you will see in many articles that he was accused of sexual assault as a Spartan. What you don’t see as often is that the prosecutor declined to pursue the case because he didn’t feel a crime had been committed and there was no supporting evidence. That should be mentioned too.

Draymond Green paid tribute to Adreian Payne: ‘He lost his life trying to help someone’

Dramatic doorbell video shows ex-NBA player Adreian Payne’s mother screaming for help after he was shot dead

Former NBA player Adreian Payne killed in Florida

Former NBA player Adreian Payne killed in Florida

Former NBA player Adreian Payne killed in Florida

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Former NBA player Adreian Payne shot, killed | Chicagoland