Michigan state men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo released a statement on Monday, saying that he was “in shock” to hear the tragic news that former Spartans center Adreian Payne has died.
Payne was shot and killed early Monday morning in Orange County, Fla. He was 31.
“I’m in shock at the tragic news of Adreian Payne’s death,” Izzo said in the statement. “Our prayers are with his family, teammates and loved ones. Adreian was loved by his teammates and coaches, who respected his development as a player and a person. He came to Michigan State with a ton of raw talent and put in the work to reach his goal of becoming an NBA player. Beyond that, he will long be remembered by Spartan fans for his kind heart, as his friendship and genuine bond with Lacey Holsworth touched the nation.
