June 17, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathetics.com) - Lavell Payne is happy to be home. The former UCF power forward enjoyed his first season of professional basketball, but is excited to be back in the United States for the summer.
Payne, who played for the Knights from 2005-07, competed for CSKA in Bulgaria this past season. The Fort Lauderdale native averaged 14.0 points and 7.4 boards. Once arriving overseas, Payne was shocked at the complexity of the Bulgarian language, which is a Southern Slavic dialect.
"The language is very different," he said. "The words are hard to pronounce." Payne also noticed the different style of play in Europe, where most players are less assertive than their American counterparts. He used the season to adapt to the pro game.
"[The play] is a lot different from in America. They are not as aggressive, so you have to get used to it. It was a good year. It was a good steppingstone for me."
Payne is staying in Orlando in June. He worked Kirk Speraw's Basketball Camp on campus last week.
Payne had a break from Europe during the winter and attended the Knights' contest with Connecticut at the new UCF Arena. He was awed by the venue and also noted that he is impressed by the program's new practice facility.
"The practice facility is better [than the old arena itself]," he said.
Payne is unsure of where he will play in 2008-09, but hopes to sign with a team in another European country.
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