2024 four-star forward Eric Paymon breaks down Mississippi State decision

Mississippi State has been a long-time favorite for 2024 power forward and On3 four-star prospect Eric Paymon. On Wednesday, the Raymond High School standout committed to head coach Chris Jans and his staff, becoming the second 2024 commitment in the class.

In State’s class, Paymon joins On3 composite four-star point guard Dellquan Warren, who officially signed with the Bulldogs back in November. Expected to sign with State in April, Paymon is rated as the nation’s No. 18 power forward and the state’s No. 1 prospect by On3 rankings.

“It’s mainly because I would have family around me and close to me at Mississippi State,” said Paymon. “It’s a great coaching staff. Plus there are players there that I know and players that I have a history with. So it was about several of those factors.”

One player that Paymon knows well is Mississippi State freshman standout Josh Hubbard. Paymon and Hubbard were on the same AAU squad in previous years and next season they will be teammates again.

“That is going to be great,” noted Paymon of Hubbard. “We played together in AAU and he has told me good things about his time at Mississippi State. It’s been great for him and he said they have very nice facilities. He said the coaches are just like they promised to be and we have good chemistry together on the court.”

A year ago, Raymond High School enjoyed a long postseason journey that ended with a 53-43 loss to Yazoo City High School in the Class 4A championship game. This season Paymon and his teammates are looking to finish off their championship goal.

Paymon has been dominant during his senior season, which was expected. But the On3 four-star prospect has also showed his versatility in order to help the team succeed. After last weekend’s win over Morton, Paymon and his teammates own a 28-4 record entering Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup with Pass Christian.

“So far I have been playing good and I’ve gone through some adversity,” explained the 6-foot-9 and 215-pound Paymon. “I’ve had to play different positions to help us win the game. I’ve played one through five and I have adjusted well. Last week against McComb I was needed more down low so I was at the four the whole game. But I’ve been averaging just over 20 points a game and seven or eight rebounds a game.”

One area of his game that has taken a step forward is his perimeter shooting. And that’s been one of Raymond’s top focuses this season.

“My shooting is coming along great,” Paymon added. “Every day I am in the gym and if I have a free period at school, I am in the gym getting up shots. I am shoot mid-range shots and working on my shot all over and my 3s. So that is coming along well.”

Paymon’s first Power 5 offer came from Mississippi State over a year ago. Over that span he has built a close reationship with Mississippi State assistant coach George Brooks, which was another factor to Wednesday’s decision.

“Things have always great with Mississippi State and Coach Brooks,” said Paymon. “Coach Brooks has been seeing where my head is at and they’ve wanted me there. They stayed on me while I was figuring out where the best place was for me to be.”

Paymon has taken in several visits to Starkville since last June and that includes a couple of camp showings on campus. He talked more of State’s program as a whole and what catches his attention from head coach Chris Jans and his program.

“What I like the most about their program is the environment and the coaches,” Paymon noted. “They have a great environment with great coaching. They stay on their players and want the best for them. They push their players to reach their greatest potential and I like that.”

And now Paymon looks to make his mark sooner than later in the SEC. Obviously, the talent will be much greater in the SEC but Paymon looks forward to his growth and development with the Bulldogs.

“It’s a dream to play in the SEC,” said Paymon. “I know there’s a lot of talent in that league. But I know there is always room for development and I am going to develop at any school I was going to. But when I come in, I just have to work and I know the coaches there will develop me well.”