University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Athletics Hall of Fame
Payton, Elfrid
Elfrid Payton
- Induction:
- 2020
The Gretna, La., native and 10th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, played for Louisiana from 2011-14 and led the Ragin' Cajuns to the 2014 Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship and appearance in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championships.
In his career in the NBA, that began with him being named to the 2015 NBA All-Rookie Team and finishing fourth overall in voting for Rookie of the Year, Payton has averaged 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game through the 2020 season.
During his three-year career at Louisiana, Payton averaged 14.3 points per game and finished his career as the Ragin' Cajuns all-time leader in steals (197). The New Orleans native finished fifth in school history with 486 assists.
After his junior season in 2013-14, Payton was selected as Player of the Year by both the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches and Louisiana Sports Writers Association. He was honored as the 2014 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Lou Henson All-America Team. During the 2013-14 season, Payton earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.
Payton averaged 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game during his junior season and helping Louisiana to a 23-12 record and its first berth to the NCAA Championships since 2005. Payton scored in double figures in 32 of 35 games played, including 14 games with 20 or more points and four 30-point performances. During the 2013-14 season, Payton attempted a school-record 302 free throws, breaking the previous mark of 273 set by Dean Church in 1964-65.
Payton led the Sun Belt Conference in steals for the second consecutive year, recording 80 and finishing with a school-record total to 197. He finished second on the team in rebounds (6.0) and was part of a defensive unit that led the Sun Belt Conference in rebounding margin and was second in steals.
He was one of 10 Division I players during the 2013-14 season to record a triple-double when he scored 34 points, with 11 rebounds and 11 assists at ULM. Payton scored 31 points in games against Houston and Western Kentucky and 32 against Oakland while posting six double-doubles, including games at Louisiana Tech and then-defending national champion Louisville.
Payton spent time with USA Basketball during the Summer of 2013 as the starting point guard for Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Championship, helping the team to the gold medal. The John Ehret High product took part in a seven-game goodwill tour of China and the Far East with Reach USA, where he led the team in scoring in seven games.
During his career with the Ragin' Cajuns, Payton finished 16th in school history in scoring (1,425 points) while grabbing 508 rebounds with 486 assists (fifth on the all-time list) and a school-record 197 steals. His 644 career free throw attempts were fourth in school history, trailing Bo Lamar (802, 1969-73), Tim Thompson (722, 1957-61) and Andrew Toney (690, 1976-80) - one of three players in school history to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
In his career in the NBA, that began with him being named to the 2015 NBA All-Rookie Team and finishing fourth overall in voting for Rookie of the Year, Payton has averaged 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game through the 2020 season.
During his three-year career at Louisiana, Payton averaged 14.3 points per game and finished his career as the Ragin' Cajuns all-time leader in steals (197). The New Orleans native finished fifth in school history with 486 assists.
After his junior season in 2013-14, Payton was selected as Player of the Year by both the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches and Louisiana Sports Writers Association. He was honored as the 2014 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Lou Henson All-America Team. During the 2013-14 season, Payton earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.
Payton averaged 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game during his junior season and helping Louisiana to a 23-12 record and its first berth to the NCAA Championships since 2005. Payton scored in double figures in 32 of 35 games played, including 14 games with 20 or more points and four 30-point performances. During the 2013-14 season, Payton attempted a school-record 302 free throws, breaking the previous mark of 273 set by Dean Church in 1964-65.
Payton led the Sun Belt Conference in steals for the second consecutive year, recording 80 and finishing with a school-record total to 197. He finished second on the team in rebounds (6.0) and was part of a defensive unit that led the Sun Belt Conference in rebounding margin and was second in steals.
He was one of 10 Division I players during the 2013-14 season to record a triple-double when he scored 34 points, with 11 rebounds and 11 assists at ULM. Payton scored 31 points in games against Houston and Western Kentucky and 32 against Oakland while posting six double-doubles, including games at Louisiana Tech and then-defending national champion Louisville.
Payton spent time with USA Basketball during the Summer of 2013 as the starting point guard for Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Championship, helping the team to the gold medal. The John Ehret High product took part in a seven-game goodwill tour of China and the Far East with Reach USA, where he led the team in scoring in seven games.
During his career with the Ragin' Cajuns, Payton finished 16th in school history in scoring (1,425 points) while grabbing 508 rebounds with 486 assists (fifth on the all-time list) and a school-record 197 steals. His 644 career free throw attempts were fourth in school history, trailing Bo Lamar (802, 1969-73), Tim Thompson (722, 1957-61) and Andrew Toney (690, 1976-80) - one of three players in school history to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Inside Louisiana Athletics Recap for Sep 10, 2025 to Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday, September 16
Michael Desormeaux Media Availability (Sep 15, 2025)
Monday, September 15
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Sep 15, 2025)
Monday, September 15
Chris McBride Media Availability (Sep 15, 2025)
Monday, September 15
