Skip to main content

NBA guard Cameron Payne Named 2025 Chair of Ideas by Lausanne Collegiate

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•about 18 hours•

lawandfern

Cameron Payne - New York Knicks
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne (1) shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. (© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne received the 2025 Chair of Ideas from his high school alma mater, Lausanne Collegiate. As the school’s official website states, “Chair of Ideas to an individual whose actions and achievements embody the school’s mission and values.” Payne is the 26th recipient of this prestigious award which started in 1994.

As a part of this recognition, Payne delivered an inspiring speech to his fellow Lynx. He said, “You are in the perfect school to make this happen. These people are going to push you. You can walk through the doors, and it feels like love. You want that forever.”

Cameron Payne played high school basketball for the Memphis-based team, leading them to a Tennessee state championship in 2013. He tallied 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists in that victory, earning him the game’s Most Valuable Player award. In addition to the state title, Payne was also Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball, making him the second Lynx player after Marc Gasol to win that coveted individual award.

Payne played for Murray State before the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him 14th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, the Knicks are Payne’s seventh NBA team in ten seasons. The 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year also played for the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After the Cavs, Cameron Payne played for the Phoenix Suns from 2019 to 2023, his longest stint with an NBA team. Before joining the Knicks, Payne split the 2023-24 season with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers.

He also had a stint with the Chinese Basketball Association’s Shanxi Loongs before playing for the Suns. Payne also suited up for the NBA G League’s Oklahoma City Blue, Windy City Bulls, and Texas Legends. Payne averaged 7.8 points, two rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 459 career NBA games.

Beyond basketball, Cameron Payne established an eponymous foundation that provided scholarships for athletes in the Greater Community Temple area.