Tom Payne (basketball)
| Tom Payne | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thomas Robert Payne November 19, 1950 California, United States |
| Other names | Tom |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
| Weight | 280 lb (127 kg) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | California, United States |
| Years active | 1984-1985 |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 4 |
| Wins | 2 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By knockout | 2 |
Thomas Robert Payne (born November 19, 1950) is a former professional basketball player, professional boxer and a convicted serial rapist.
A 7-foot, 1-inch center, Payne played with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA during the 1971-1972 season. He was also the first African American ever to play basketball for the University of Kentucky. Payne is currently incarcerated in Kentucky State Reformatory in LaGrange, Kentucky.
The eldest of nine children, Payne broke one record in birth; he was the longest baby ever born at the local hospital. He grew up in a home where academics were stressed; his father had attained the rank of master sergeant in the United States Army before retiring, and his mother had a bachelor's degree in biology. His eight siblings were also well-educated, with a total of fourteen college degrees.
Despite his height and incredible physical skills, Payne was basically a newcomer to basketball. He didn't play organized basketball until his sophomore season at Shawnee High School at Louisville, Kentucky. By his senior season, he was one of the most coveted players in the nation, with Kentucky and UCLA recruiting him. On June 9, 1969 the high-school All-American signed with Kentucky; he was not only the tallest player ever to play at the school, he was also legendary coach Adolph Rupp's first-ever African-American player.
Touted as "another Lew Alcindor," Payne struggled in adjusting to college life at Kentucky. A low entering test score prevented him from playing on the Kentucky freshman team. (Freshmen were ineligible to play varsity basketball at the time.) He instead played for an AAU team called "Jerry's Restaurant."
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