Illini add Omar Payne to the Front Line

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuys

Omar Payne announced via Twitter he is officially an Illini basketball player. The 6'10" 230 pound sophomore has averaged 15 minutes, 3.8 points, 1.2 blocks, and 3.4 rebounds per game in his first two seasons as a Florida Gator.

Courtesy SI.com

Payne's twitter statement read, "I am excited for my next step at the University of Illinois."

Payne provides the Illini a viable center option if Kofi Cockburn is lost to the NBA this off season.

Additionally, with the possible loss of Giorgi Bezhanishvili as well, Payne would provide a strong backup center presence if Cockburn were to duplicate the game plan executed by Ayo Dosunmu when Ayo came back for his junior campaign to bolster his NBA draft status.

 

Podcasts

The Top 5 Illini Basketball Coaches in IlliniGuy Memory - #496

Listen

Greg Glass – NIL Primer & Can Fanstake.com Help Attract & Retain Athletic Talent - #495

Listen

Interviews with Bret Bielema, Cam Crocker & Matt Stevens - S4Ep52 - 8.8.25

Listen

Illini FB Coach Bret Bielema Chats with Mike & Rob Louthain Talks NIL & Illini Media - #494

Listen

IlliniGuys Top 5 Fighting Illini Cs in our Lifetime - #493

Listen

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Davon Grant

Listen

Illini Football & Basketball, Hogan & Sandberg Pass & Cearah Parchment & Matt Stevens - S4Ep51 - 8.1.25

Listen

Opinions from the Outside Looking In at Illini Football #492

Listen

IlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini PFs in our Lifetime, 4-Star 2027 QB Commit & Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review - #491

Listen

B1G Media Days, Illini Hoops & More - S4Ep50 - 7.25.25

Listen

IlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini SFs in our Lifetime - #490

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Luke Altmyer Poised to Soar Up All-Time Illini QB Rankings & Kofi Part II

Listen

NBA Summer League, Illini Recruiting Update, SEC Media Days & More - S4Ep49 - 7.18.25

Listen

I on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 SGs & Superman Movie Review #489

Listen

Illini in NBA Summer League, New Basketball Hire & Illini Football - S4Ep48 - 7.11.25

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.