Photo from Pitt Athletics

Former SIU commit Chris Payton (6’7 F) is looking at coming to Southern after entering the transfer portal in mid-March.  He played a limited role at Pitt this past season, appearing in 13 games for a 3.1 minutes average.  He scored just 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds through the season.

Payton’s former junior college coach, Hank Plona of Indian Hills, made the announcement on Twitter.  Payton is looking at transferring to either SIU, UTEP, or Kent State.

Pittsburgh transfer Chris Payton has focused his recruitment on Kent State, Southern Illinois, and UTEP.

He has met with head coaches from all 3 and will decide in April pic.twitter.com/u5NofZSQPN

— Hank Plona (@HankPlona_IHCC) April 5, 2022

Payton originally committed to SIU when Barry Hinson was still the head coach of the men’s basketball coach.  When Hinson stepped down later that year and Bryan Mullins was hired Payton was expected to still come to SIU until a few days later when he de-committed and ended up at Indian Hills.