Mississippi State and head coach Chris Jans landed power forward Eric Paymon Jr., a three-star recruit and the top overall high school player in the Magnolia State for the class of 2024, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Paymon, out of Raymond High School, was also offered by Ole Miss, with his other offers coming from TCU, Jackson State, Georgia State and New Mexico State — Jans’ previous employer.
As a senior, Paymon has helped lead Raymond to a 28-4 overall record and a 9-0 mark in district play. The Rangers will play Pass Christian in the MHSAA Class 4A quarterfinals on Saturday.
The top player from Mississippi in the class of 2022, Kimani Hamilton, also committed to the Bulldogs but made just 12 appearances for MSU as a freshman. He then transferred to High Point, where he is currently averaging 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for a Panthers team that is 22-6 overall and 11-2 in Big South Conference play.
The Bulldogs also secured the top player from their home state for the class of 2023 in Josh Hubbard, who was initially signed with Ole Miss but flipped to MSU after the Rebels made a coaching change. Hubbard has been named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week four times and is putting up 15 points per contest.
Paymon joins combo guard Dellquan Warren from Erie, Pa. and center Chol Machot from Winston-Salem, N.C. in the Bulldogs’ incoming freshman class next season.
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