The frontcourt reinforcements are starting to emerge for Seton Hall basketball.
The Pirates have added a commitment from Stephon Payne, a transfer forward/center from Jacksonville. Right now, he’s just the second big man on their 2025-26 roster.
Advertisement
Here are three things to know about Payne, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound junior with one year of eligibility remaining.
Nov 26, 2024; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Dolphins guard Zach Bell (5) and forward Stephon Payne III (0) celebrate after a basket against the Siena Saints in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
1. He drew quite a bit of portal interest
Among schools listed as recruiting Payne in this cycle were Indiana, Louisville, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. The native Floridian began his college career at Incarnate Word before spending the past two seasons with Jacksonville in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
As a junior this past winter he averaged 8.4 points and 6.3 rebounds – including 2.8 offensive boards – in just 21 minutes per game. He shot 53 percent from the field and 63 percent from the free-throw line as Jacksonville finished 19-14 overall and 12-6 in the Atlantic Sun.
Advertisement
Here were Payne’s games against high-majors in 2024-25:
Vs. Florida: 6 points on 3-of-8 field goals, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls
Vs. Virginia Tech: 6 points on 3-4 field goals, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 fouls
Vs. Georgia: 5 points on 2-of-4 field goals, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls
Jacksonville Dolphins forward Stephon Payne III (0) dunks during the second half of the quarterfinal round of the ASUN men’s basketball tournament at Swisher Gymnasium Monday, March 2, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU rallied to defeat EKU 78-67.
2. He’s attempted zero collegiate 3-pointers
Payne knows what he is. He plays inside and that is what Hall coach Shaheen Holloway wants from his bigs. Seton Hall’s returning center, Godswill Erheriene, did not put up a 3-pointer this past season.
3. He fills a dire need
As the calendar turns to May, the Hall is desperate for big men. Payne could conceivably play alongside the 6-foot-9 Erheriene, or they could split time at the five. We’ll see what else comes in over the next few weeks, but we know it’s hard to recruit postmen out of the portal – harder than any other position – and the hour is getting late.
Seton Hall’s projected 2025-26 depth chart
Guards (4): Budd Clark, TJ Simpkins, A.J. Staton-McCray, Jahseem Felton.
Advertisement
Wings (1): Joshua Rivera.
Bigs (2): Godswill Erheriene, Stephon Payne.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Seton Hall basketball adds Stephon Payne, Jacksonville transfer forward
