Citrus prospect headed north

The Citrus College Owls had a great season this year under head coach Rick Croy. The Owls finished the year at 28-5 and over the past two seasons the program has gone 63-6. One Owls player decided to head north next season up the coast to finish out his college career. JucoJunction has the latest on which Owls player has flown the nest to the four year level for next season in this story.

Troy Payne, (SO) 6-foot-6 (210) from Los Angeles, is a combo forward. Payne prepped at Dorsey High School and Milestone Prep in Raleigh,NC before heading to Citrus College. Payne, an academic qualifier, will he heading up the coast to play at Santa Clara next season according to coach Croy.

"Santa Clara did a great job of recruiting Troy and I think it will be a great fit for him. The coaching staff did a great job, especially assistant coach James Ware, on recruiting him," said Croy.

Payne averaged 9.3 ppg and 10.2 rebounds this season while earning conference MVP and first team all state honors. Troy scored 557 points and grabbed 584 rebounds in his 69 game career in a Owls uniform. Troy is the all-time leading rebounder in school history.

Payne received interest from Boise State. San Jose State and Fresno State in the recruiting process. The Owls still have some more players to commit in the future and JucoJunction will keep tabs on them when they do so.