Michigan State star forward Adreian Payne was held out of the recent NBA Combine in Chicago and continues to battle back from mononucleosis he has now suffered from for months.
SpartanAvenue.com reports Payne played most of his senior season with the ailment, which reportdly causes flu like symptoms, severe fatigue, headaches, chills, muscular aches and a sore throat.
"I was tired all the time," said Payne said, who nonetheless averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and a block in leading the Spartans to the Elite Eight, where they bowed out to eventual NCAA champion UConn 60-54. "I would come into the locker room at halftime and be struggling to catch my breath. I didn't know what was wrong. I didn't want to get out of bed in the morning, but I just thought I had to. When I found out it was mono everything made sense."
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Adding still another layer to the 23-year-old's struggles, is the fact the virus tends to linger longer in the system of sufferers as they get older.
Still scouts seem to think the condition won't hurt Payne's draft status much and he continues to be rated among the best big men available and a surefire first-round selection for the June 26 event.
Most NBA scouts see the 6-foot-10, 240 pound forward as a shooting power forward and are convinced he will be able to contribute to a team from Day 1.
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