Pilots’ Fredericko Payne named First Team All-America
04/12/05

LSUS Pilots guard Fredericko Payne, a 5-10 junior from Dubach, has been named an NAIA First Team All-America. The leading scorer in the nation averaging 25 points a game and third in the nation in steals with 3 per game, “Rico” led the Pilots to a 27-9 record and a first-ever trip to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, where they lost to the eventual national champion, John Brown University, in the Sweet Sixteen.

In the two seasons of the resurrected basketball program at LSUS, Payne has amassed more than 1,500 points in career scoring.

“If it wasn’t for my teammates and coaches,” Payne said, “none of this would be possible. I have some of the best teammates, who understand me and understand each other. We play together so well. We can’t wait for next year.”

Payne, who was an Honorable Mention All-America last year, is the first Pilot in the history of LSUS basketball to receive All-America honors.