During his prep career at Raymond High School, 2024 Mississippi State commitment and On3 four-star forward Eric Paymon experienced a lot of big moments in Class 4A state championship games. He also felt the emotions on being on both sides of the spectrum with those results.
However, this past March, Paymon finished off that productive prep career in good fashion with another state championship ring, the second championship during his time at Raymond High School.
“It was a good feeling to win another championship,” Paymon recalled. “We won it my sophomore season, too, and then we lost in the championship last season. So we’ve been on the winning side and the losing side. That made it feel really good to win it again my last season of high school.”
As a senior, Paymon averaged just over 20 points a game and 9.3 rebounds an outing. He noted of the improvements he made this past season along with his current focus to improve other areas of his game.
“I think my biggest improvements were being more aggressive and going to the rim more,” added the 6-foot-9 and 215-pound Paymon. “My all-around shooting is still a work in progress and I have a few things to work there like my off-balanced shots. But my shot from the perimeter was pretty good this year.”
In previous offseasons, Paymon would normally be involved on the AAU circuit this time of the year. Of course, this offseason he is preparing for the jump to the next level and Mississippi State while keeping the same routine inside the gym.
“It’s really not that different because I am in the gym every day,” Paymon said. “So I am still in the gym all the time. Playing AAU was more about playing against different guys and getting better on the court. But now I am using that time for training and to get ready for Mississippi State.”
Regarding his arrival to Starkville, Paymon plans to enroll at Mississippi State during the summer months. While rated as a power forward, he also explained that he may see some time at the wing for the Bulldogs, as well.
“I will be there this summer,” noted Paymon. “I am just preparing myself and working hard to be ready for that level. I want to prove myself right away and prove that I am one of the pieces they need. I think I am going to play some at the three and that will be an adjustment. But it should be fine once I get used to it.”
Paymon committed to the Bulldogs right before his team captured the Class 4A championship back in March and he is rated as the nation’s No. 19 power forward and the state’s top prospect by On3. Since then, he has remained in regular communication with his future coaches and realizes what awaits him in summer workouts.
“It’s been going great with the coaches,” Paymon mentioned. “I am staying in contact with them and they’re just making sure everything is all set. They are just waiting on me to get there. The coaches told me to get ready for a whole lot of running and to be ready to be coached hard.”
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