NBA Comparison: Elfrid Payton

Strengths: 6’5 combo guard … Very good length with a 6’9.5 wingspan … Good ball-handler, penetrates to the rim and creates offense in the half-court with good craft and change of speed. Isn’t reliant on triple threat as he can break down defenders with his shifty dribble. Covers a lot of ground with his length and maneuvers through tight spaces with the ball. Crafty finisher around the rim with either hand, scoring at various angles while jumping off either foot. Can play on or off the ball, getting a lot of movement without the ball in his hands … Draws fouls at a high rate: 5.1 FTA EYBL Scholastic 2024-25, 7.7 FTA Nike EYBL 2025, 5.5 FTA NBPA Top 100 2025 … Solid free throw shooter: 83.3% FT% (5-6) EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 75.3% FT% EYBL Scholastic 2024-25, 75% FT% Nike EYBL 2025, 77.3% FT% NBPA Top 100 2025 … Sees the floor and can make plays for others. Uses ball screens well, making good reads out of them. Assist to turnover: 2.8 APG EYBL Scholastic 2024-25, 2.8 APG/2.4 TOPG Nike EYBL 2025, camp best 6.8 APG/4.5 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2025 … Rebounds very well for position: 5.6 RPG (2 ORPG) EYBL Scholastic 2024-25, 7.7 RPG (1.6 ORPG) Nike EYBL 2025, 5^th best 6.5 RPG NBPA Top 100 2025 … Good length and quickness (hands and feet) defensively, giving him good versatility. Very good on-ball defender and smart double-teamer. Knows how to make things difficult for his assignment and does a good job of denying them the ball. Gets his hands on everything. Steal stats: 1.6 SPG EYBL Scholastic 2024-25, 2.1 SPG Nike EYBL 2025, 5^th best 1.5 SPG NBPA Top 100 2025 … Younger for his class, just turned 17 in October of his senior year …

Weaknesses: Will need to get stronger, loses the ball when taking contact at times. Frame should continue to fill out fine, especially considering his age … Quick but isn’t a real explosive athlete, typically scoring below the rim despite his size and length … Can look to expand his scoring, tends to score a lot at the free throw line. His role has increased every year, and this year should be no different, with Kiyan Anthony (11.1 FGA per game) and Kayden Mingo (9.5 FGA per game) graduated, Mingo projects to step into a bigger offensive role. Can improve scoring efficiency: 0.8 PPG 33% FG% (2-6) NIBC 2022-23, 2.2 PPG 33.3% FG% EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 13.3 PPG 44.2% FG% EYBL Scholastic 2024-25, 17.9 PPG 41.8% FG% Nike EYBL 2025 … His shooting form doesn’t look bad, but the results can improve: 0% 3PT% (0-1) NIBC 2022-23, 0% 3PT% (0-3) EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 28.3% 3PT% 3.3 3PTA EYBL Scholastic 2024-25, 25% 3PT% 3.1 3PTA Nike EYBL 2025 … Can get loose handling the ball and be turnover prone. Averaged 2.4 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL and 4.5 turnovers per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2025 …

Outlook: 2025 Naismith Underclassman All-American Honorable Mention … 2025 NBPA Top 100 Camp MVP …

Evan Tomes 10/29/25

Notes: Measured 6′ 4” barefoot, 177 lbs, and a 6′ 9” wingspan at the 2024 Nike Elite 100 … Measured: 6’5.25″ with a 6’9.5″ wingspan at the 2024 MADE Hoops National Guard Next Greatest Generation Camp …