One of A&M’s few returning contributors may be following Buzz Williams
Whether it was with Buzz Williams or someone new, Texas A&M basketball was facing a major roster rebuild next season, graduating eight seniors with the only returning players who played significant minutes were Pharrell Payne and Solomon Washington. Well, with Buzz headed to Maryland, it appears that roster gets even thinner, as Payne announced on Wednesday that he has entered the transfer portal.
NEW: Texas A&M forward Pharrel Payne has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos_ reports.
Payne averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.https://t.co/h5htkTeJiD pic.twitter.com/qjBHcV1AnC
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) April 2, 2025
Payne, who transferred to A&M from Minnesota last offseason has one year of eligbility remaining. In the 2024-25 season he averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, but it was the NCAA Tournament where he truly shined. Against Yale and Michigan, Payne averaged 25.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 80% from the field and 73.3% from the free throw line.
It’s not guaranteed that Payne will follow Buzz Williams to Maryland, but you have to assume the are the favorite. If not, he will likely have no shortage of suitors.