Hogs Recruit Payne Released From Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach John Pelphrey’s first full recruiting class is now one player smaller.

The university sent out an e-mail Saturday stating that Daniel Payne “is no longer eligible to participate at the University of Arkansas and will be given his immediate release.”

A source close to the basketball program said the 6-foot-7 small forward wasn’t going to graduate from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and wouldn’t be allowed to enroll at Arkansas. The university stated in its release that it would have no further comment on the matter.

Payne, who selected Arkansas over Kansas, Texas, Texas A&M and Wichita State, played two years at Coffeyville and averaged 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds this past season. Attempts to reach Pelphrey, Payne and Coffeyville coach Jay Herkelman on Saturday were unsuccessful.

Pelphrey has three scholarships available to him now after Payne’s release, guard Nate Rakestraw’s transfer and guard Levan Patsatsia’s departure at the end of this semester. Pelphrey signed five other players in this class: guards Courtney Fortson, Rotnei Clarke and Jason Henry and forwards Andre Clark and Brandon Moore.