EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 06: Adreian Payne #5 of the Michigan State Spartans walks on the floor for Senior night with Lacey Holsworth, a 8-year-old from St. Johns Michigan who is battling cancer, after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 86-76 at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on February 6, 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Former Michigan State big man Adreian Payne was shot and killed in Orlando Monday morning. He was 31-years-old.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, 29-year-old Lawrence Dority was arrested for First Degree murder in connection to the shooting.
Payne, a lottery pick in the 2014 NBA Draft was a four year standout for the Spartans before spending four seasons in the NBA with the Hawks, Timberwolves and the Magic.
Payne was most known for his friendship with Lacey Holsworth, a young Michigan State fan who was battling cancer during Payne’s time in East Lansing.
Holsworth accompanied Payne on his senior night. She died in April 2014, two months prior to Payne getting drafted.