Missouri notebook: Martavian Payne steps away from basketball

Missouri’s lost some backcourt depth Friday when coach Kim Anderson announced that junior guard Martavian Payne was taking a break from basketball.

“Martavian Payne came to me requesting he take time away from basketball to concentrate on his academic pursuits,” Anderson said in a statement from MU Athletics. “At this time, I agree that is in his best interests, as his academic success is our main objective. We will continue to monitor and evaluate Martavian’s status going forward.”

Payne, a St. Louis native, originally signed with Southeast Missouri out of high school, but spent the last two seasons at John A. Logan, a community college in Illinois.

Asked if he could return at some point, Anderson said, “Options are on the table.”

Missouri sophomore forward D’Angelo Allen, who was suspended along with fellow sophomore Namon Wright for last week’s exhibition win against Missouri Western, was the only scholarship player not to see the floor on Friday night against Wofford.

Anderson said Allen has practiced well and isn’t in trouble, but it’s difficult to get 11 players in the rotation.

Some key numbers from Missouri’s 83-74 win over Wofford

56.0

Missouri’s shooting percentage, which is significant because the Tigers only shot 50 percent or better three times last season.

3-to-2

Assist-to-turnover ratio for freshman guard Terrence Phillips in 29 minutes, helping pace Missouri to 12 total assists against only nine turnovers.

20

Points by freshman forward Kevin Puryear from Blue Springs South, the most by a non-guard freshman in his first game since Raytown South’s Jevon Crudup in 1991.

Tod Palmer: 816-234-4389, @todpalmer

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 11:40 PM with the headline "Missouri notebook: Martavian Payne steps away from basketball."