Scores of tributes flood social media for former MSU star Adreian Payne
Both the Michigan State and basketball community were rocked on Monday morning by news of former Spartan Adreian Payne's death.
Payne was shot and killed in Florida early Monday morning in Florida, which was confirmed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
After that tragic news began to go public, tributes to the former Michigan State star began to flood social media. We've compiled a number of those here:
Former/current Michigan State players:
Cookie and I are heartbroken to hear that former Spartan Adreian Payne has passed away. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and Spartan Nation! Adreian will be sorely missed. 🙏🏾💔
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 9, 2022
AP no😞
— Hen (@hennny11) May 9, 2022
Rest easy AP… gonna cherish all the time we spent together .💚
— Davis Smith (@DavisSatchel1) May 9, 2022
I just talked to AP a couple of days ago. He was doing so good. He just couldn’t stop talking about his son and how much he’s enjoying basketball.
— Delvon Roe (@DelvonRoe10) May 9, 2022
Adreian, was a kind soul. He didn’t deserve this. Spartan Nation, let’s make sure his son is taken care of! 💚🙏🏾
💔💔💔💔
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) May 9, 2022
Sick to hear this devastating news..my vet who took me under his wing as a freshman. Gonna miss you big player. RIP AP 🙏🏽🕊
— Gavin Schilling (@G_Schills34) May 9, 2022
This one hurt. I’m lost for words right now 😞
— B.Dawson (@whynot_22) May 9, 2022
AP5 🕊❤️
— Gary Harris (@thats_G_) May 9, 2022
My brother, my roommate, my teammate, one of my closest boys while at State. I’m just glad I heard you out and we had that good talk last month. Love you bro.. 💔 pic.twitter.com/MHaQ5RPCvd
— Brandon Wood (@BrandonWood30) May 9, 2022
AP is a Michigan State Legend! One of the reasons I wanted to play in Green and White. Watching him and @Jared_Sully0 😔 go at it
— Nick Ward (@IamNickWard) May 9, 2022
RIP AP 🙏🏽🕊. Spartan Dawg Legend 🤞🏽❤️🙏🏽
— Denzel Valentine (@denzelvalentine) May 9, 2022
I’m sick right now 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🥲🥲. R.I.P. big player AP smdh
— Kelvin Torbert (@ktorbert23) May 9, 2022
Life is short. Treasure your loved ones while you can! Rest easy @Adreian_Payne!
— Travis Trice (@trice_travis) May 9, 2022
Today is a sad day… 😔😭 I’m in disbelief.. Can’t believe you’re gone AP… 😔😔
— Lourawls Thomas Nairn Jr (@CoachTum11) May 9, 2022
Rest In Peace AP real legend 💚
— wop (@ajhoggard3) May 9, 2022
Rest In Peace AP, you will be missed😔
— Jaden Akins (@JadenAkins3) May 9, 2022
Rest up AP 💔
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) May 9, 2022
Wow Rest Up AP 🕊💙
— Rocket Watts (@RocketWatts) May 9, 2022
Rest easy AP 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/bj92Iykq6P
— Jason Richardson (@jrich23) May 9, 2022
Former opponents:
Hate the news i received this morning…. Rest Easy to my brother/Teammate @Adreian_Payne
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) May 9, 2022
ESPN College Gameday's Jay Bilas:
So sad to hear that former Michigan State star Adreian Payne passed away at the age of 31. AP was an outstanding player for Tom Izzo, and befriended Lacey Holsworth through her battle with cancer. RIP Adreian Payne. pic.twitter.com/YLXVGwINCV
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) May 9, 2022
Detroit Free Press reporter Tony Garcia:
Been to a lot of big events at MSU. Never seen a more emotional moment than Adrien Payne’s silent dunk in honor of Lacey Holsworth. Wasn’t a dry eye in the arena.
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) May 9, 2022
Payne, 31, has died. He was always understated, but a very good man. A gut wrenching loss. pic.twitter.com/vVEaLaONv6
