The basketball world is in mourning.
On Monday, according to The Detroit Free Press newspaper, Adreian Payne died at the age of 31.
Information that had already been mentioned by Jared Sullinger, his ex-teammate, the former NBA player in a tweet.
“I hate the news I received this morning…Rest easy my brother/teammate @Adreian_Payne,” Sullinger wrote.
Details of the circumstances of his death were not disclosed.
Hate the news i received this morning….
Rest Easy to my brother/Teammate @Adreian_Payne
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) May 9, 2022
Drafted 15th in 2014, the same year as current NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Adreian Payne was the center of the Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic.
After four seasons in the NBA, Adreian Payne continued his career in Europe and Asia.
He notably played in Greece, at Panathinaikos, in Turkey at Ormanspor, and even in China at Nanjing Monkey Kings.
But Adreian Payne is best known in France for having worn the colors of Asvel for a year and a half.
He notably won a title of Champion of France in 2019. Tony Parker's club was quick to react to this announcement on social networks: “Terribly shocked by the announcement of the death of Adreian Payne.
It's hard to find the words when you lose a family member... All our thoughts for their loved ones.
»
😢 Terribly shocked by the announcement of the death of Adreian PAYNE, LDLC ASVEL player between 2019 and 2020
It's hard to find the words when you lose a family member...
All our thoughts for his loved ones 🕊️ pic.twitter.com /Ow5uD6GBTC
— LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) May 9, 2022
This season, the interior of 2.08 m played in the Lithuanian championship in the club of Utenos Juventus.