Sept. 18, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Lavell Payne, who concluded his UCF men's basketball career in the spring, has signed a professional contract with CSKA in Bulgaria. Payne spent two years with the Knights and started all 31 games at power forward in 2006-07.
As a senior, he helped the Knights go 22-9 overall and 11-5 to finish second in Conference USA. He averaged 10.8 points and a team-high 5.5 boards. In league play, the Fort Lauderdale native averaged 13.3 points and shot 51.8 percent from the floor, which ranked fourth in C-USA.
Payne made great strides at the free-throw line last season. He shot 73.6 percent after making just 42.9 percent of his attempts in 2005-06. He joined the Knights prior to the 2005-06 campaign after spending two years at Tallahassee Community College.
CSKA is one of the top teams in Bulgaria and finished second in its division last season. The club is based in Sofia.
UCF opens the 2007-08 campaign at the new UCF Arena on Nov. 11 versus Nevada. Head coach Kirk Speraw's team will play 16 regular season contests at the 10,000-seat facility.
Season tickets are currently available by calling 407-UCF-1000. One lucky season ticket holder for the upcoming 2007-08 men's basketball campaign will get to drive home from the new UCF Arena in a brand new Mazda CX-9, courtesy of Classic Mazda, the presenting sponsor of this year's season ticket drive. UCF basketball fans that purchase two season tickets for this year's inaugural schedule at the new UCF Arena will be entered into a drawing to win the Mazda CX-9.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.