Committed Elsewhere Chris Payton, 6-7/205, SF, Bloomington, IL (JUCO)

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Damn

 

[Bird Friend]

https://twitter.com/hoijim/status/935362185571815429

He enjoys dunking the ball. those are usually good bets to go in the hoop

That's what I thought, too. Then I saw two years of Reggie Lynch getting stuffed by the rim.

 

[cpacmel]

Bloomington beat St. Rita 59-56 in the Chicago Elite Challenge @ UIC

https://mobile.twitter.com/nbcspreps/status/936768107330367488


Chris also had 13 boards!

 

[Bird Friend]

https://twitter.com/ballislifechi/status/937059867981959168

 

[DannyCooksey]

For any posters going to the game tomorrow between Normal West and Bloomington please provide a report. thanks.

 

[Source]

West won 49-43 after being down 11. Okoro 14 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots. Payton: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks.

 

[Adunk33]

West won 49-43 after being down 11. Okoro 14 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots. Payton: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

West won 49-43 after being down 11. Okoro 14 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots. Payton: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks.

Was Coach Muller in attendance?

 

[JHBird]

I didn't see the Coach there. I was up high in the rafters though, on the visitors side. My first high school game in thirty years! It's amazing how loud a small gym can get when it's packed.

To me, Okoro looked more like a raw talent, especially on the offensive side. Payton looked more polished offensively. The game was tight at the end. BHS was down two points when Payton came down with a rebound. He didn't think anybody was around him so he let up a bit. That's when a Normal West player came in behind and stole the ball. Probably the key to the game.

Payton looks like an explosive leaper, and he blocked Okoro's shop a few times, of course Okoro returned the favor a few times as well. They seemed to be guarding each other a lot. Okoro was a beast on the defensive end, and used his size advantage well (17 rebounds!). Personally, I've seen him ranked as the 25th best player in his class. I wouldn't have known that just by watching that game. Definitely good though. Kinda like Phil Fayne. Very raw and athletic for a 6'9" guy.

After the game we went to Portillo's. We noticed a couple of the Normal West players sitting next to us so we talked to them a bit. They said neither Payton or Okoro really played that well. It wasn't one of their better games. I was wearing my Red Bird gear, so I told them I went to see Payton play. I asked where they thought Okoro would end up. They said 'no clue'. I then asked if he was the kinda of kid who wanted to stay home and maybe -- then they cut me off saying 'There's no way he stays here and plays.' That kinda bummed me out ... but who knows what may lurk in the mind of a teenager.

I'm glad we got Payton though. Saw him at the Murray game. Afterward, when all the kiddies are shooting baskets, he jumped over one of them to slam the basketball. Great kid! Too bad he can't play for us now.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

I didn't see the Coach there. I was up high in the rafters though, on the visitors side. My first high school game in thirty years! It's amazing how loud a small gym can get when it's packed.

To me, Okoro looked more like a raw talent, especially on the offensive side. Payton looked more polished offensively. The game was tight at the end. BHS was down two points when Payton came down with a rebound. He didn't think anybody was around him so he let up a bit. That's when a Normal West player came in behind and stole the ball. Probably the key to the game.

Payton looks like an explosive leaper, and he blocked Okoro's shop a few times, of course Okoro returned the favor a few times as well. They seemed to be guarding each other a lot. Okoro was a beast on the defensive end, and used his size advantage well (17 rebounds!). Personally, I've seen him ranked as the 25th best player in his class. I wouldn't have known that just by watching that game. Definitely good though. Kinda like Phil Fayne. Very raw and athletic for a 6'9" guy.

After the game we went to Portillo's. We noticed a couple of the Normal West players sitting next to us so we talked to them a bit. They said neither Payton or Okoro really played that well. It wasn't one of their better games. I was wearing my Red Bird gear, so I told them I went to see Payton play. I asked where they thought Okoro would end up. They said 'no clue'. I then asked if he was the kinda of kid who wanted to stay home and maybe -- then they cut me off saying 'There's no way he stays here and plays.' That kinda bummed me out ... but who knows what may lurk in the mind of a teenager.

I'm glad we got Payton though. Saw him at the Murray game. Afterward, when all the kiddies are shooting baskets, he jumped over one of them to slam the basketball. Great kid! Too bad he can't play for us now.

Okoro is ranked pretty high, but yet it sounds like Payton may be the better of the two. If so, sounds like Dan has stolen a gem.

 

[Bird Friend]

Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.

So who is going to be better?

 

[JHBird]

At the game Friday night, they announced him as 6-6. Hope he hasn't started shrinking on us. COME ON CHRIS! DRINK MILK FOR STRONG BONES! I was hoping he'd be 6-8 when he got here. Maybe they didn't measure him with his shoes on? I hear that's how the NBA measures players.

 

[Adunk33]

Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.

So who is going to be better?

I will say this. I have watch Payton vs Okoro 3 or 4 times, I missed the most recent match up. Payton has out played Okoro in each. If they were the same size, Payton would be much better. Okoro has the size and athleticism, just like you say. He doesn't have great post-moves or great shooting touch, or FTs. Payton pound for pound is a better player.

If Okoro continues to work on his game and realize he isn't going to be the biggest guy on the court forever, he will be the better player. Right now: Advantage Payton.

Disclaimer: I may be biased as Payton is already committed and goes to my alma mater.

 

[DWRedbird]

At the game Friday night, they announced him as 6-6. Hope he hasn't started shrinking on us. COME ON CHRIS! DRINK MILK FOR STRONG BONES! I was hoping he'd be 6-8 when he got here. Maybe they didn't measure him with his shoes on? I hear that's how the NBA measures players.

I would guess that is what they did, or they haven't updated his info. High Schools don't typically update it unless the player asks. When I played football at NCHS, they had us submit our own information for team roster. It was the first time I ever thought to list my weight as more than it was.

That said, I hate the whole measurement with the shoes off thing. Yes, I know it is the accurate measurement, but no one plays the game with their shoes off, so I want to know what their height is in shoes.

 

[Bird Friend]

Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.

So who is going to be better?

The one who wants it more.

 

[McHalesNavy]

Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.

Speaking of his older brother, does anyone know where Charles ended up going to play? I've looked on Google and nothing. Good player, so can't imagine even a DIII school didn't take a stab at him

 

[4thRowRedbird]

Not playing ball anymore from what I hear. Selling cars in Peoria was the story going around.

 

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Not playing ball anymore from what I hear. Selling cars in Peoria was the story going around.

cars................................................................................................................................................................................

 

[cpacmel]

https://twitter.com/hoijim/status/941877561583382528