Future Gopher Pharrel Payne dominating for Park (Cottage Grove) hoops

Before Park big man Pharrel Payne transitions to playing for the Gophers, he’s hoping to lead Park (Cottage Grove) to a 4A state championship. Park is currently 12-6, but only recently has had its full roster healthy.

We shot a recent Park game, plus stopped by a recent practice.

***Click the video box above to watch interviews with Payne and coach Mike Weah, and to see Payne in action***

The Gophers offered Payne a scholarship in June, then Drake, St. Louis, and others hopped in. He’s the first Park basketball player since ex-Gopher Sam Jacobson in the mid 90s to earn a D-1 scholarship.

Payne, who is 6-foot-9, can play inside and outside. Some people close to him really feel like he has pro potential. He is the highest-rated recruit in the Gophers class, which includes former Osseo big man Joshua Ola-Joseph and Park Center guard Braeden Carrington.

Payne is healthy now after missing time earlier this season with a hip injury.