
62.4% FG F/C with Leg Injury History, Returning for 2026-27
Pharrel Payne is a 6-9, 250-lb F/C for Maryland who dominated efficiency in 2025-26 with a 62.4% field goal rate and 26.7 PPG over 10 games, averaging 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game [2][4]. His differentiator is elite interior scoring and physicality, but he carries a significant leg injury that triggered an NCAA medical waiver, delaying his return until the 2026-27 season pending approval [3]. Payne’s intensity and rebounding prowess make him a high-impact fit for teams needing a paint presence, though his injury history demands caution. He’s draft-eligible in 2026 and previously played for Texas A&M and Minnesota [5][6].





