Minnesota transfer forward Pharrel Payne commits to Texas A&M hoops

On Tuesday, former Minnesota forward Pharrel Payne announced that he would be transferring to Texas A&M.

At 6-foot-9 and 255 pounds, Payne averaged 10.0 points in 32 games as a sophomore for the Golden Gophers in 2023-2024.

Over his two-year career at Minnesota, Payne played in 62 games, made 23 starts and averaged 9.1 points per game. Additionally, he averaged 5.6 rebounds per contest across two seasons and 6.1 RPG in 2023-24.

A very athletic forward, he evolved in his game during the latter half of the Big Ten season as he began to take on a larger role for Ben Johnson’s Gophers. On Feb. 18, Payne registered a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double in Minnesota’s 81-70 victory over Rutgers. His only other double-double came in a loss at Indiana on Jan. 12. Further, he reached double digits in points on 15 total occasions.

A native of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, he comes to College Station as the second transfer addition for Buzz Williams & Co. during the current portal window. Along with shooting guard C.J. Wilcher, Payne provides a rim-protection element for the Maroon & White.

Payne will arrive in Aggieland with two more years of eligibility.