Kenny Payne arrived in New York and now former UK star Julius Randle is having his best NBA season. (New York Knicks Photo)
Just when it seemed like a perfect fit for former Kentucky basketball assistant coach Kenny Payne to join athletics director DeWayne Peevy, a former UK associate AD, at DePaul and become the school’s new basketball coach. However, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reported Saturday that league sources had told him Payne was staying with the New York Knicks as an assistant coach, a job he left UK for after the 2019-20 season.
That suits Knicks rookie guard Immanuel Quickley just fine. He played for Payne at UK for two years and has been one of the NBA’s most surprising rookie players this season.
“He puts the players first,” Quickley told Joyce. “He’ll be there early in the morning, late at night, he’ll take you to lunch, help you with your homework. He’s almost like a father figure. He would be great wherever he’s at, but we are glad and blessed to have him here.”
Payne also coached Julius Randle for one year at UK and now Randle is having his best NBA season
“He’s just been another guy that’s been in my life and he’s helped me on and off the court, basketball, late nights in the gym, we watch film together,” Quickley said about Payne.
“I’ve gotten to know him since I was in high school. For me to have him since high school, college and pros has been an unbelievable experience and I hope I can continue to keep working with him.”
It made sense for Peevy to target Payne, who was popular with UK players and their parents as well as UK fans. He joined Calipari his first at Kentucky and coincidence or not, UK was 9-16 this year without Payne.
Quickley said Payne has been the “same person” in the NBA he was as a college coach.
“Sometimes he forgets we have a game the next day and still tries to go just as hard as when we were in college and played on a Tuesday/Saturday,” Quickley told Joyce.
“But that’s why you love him because you know he’s gonna work just as hard as you. As much as you want the success, he’s going to push you to go get that, so that’s why we respect him.”
