Seton Hall Lands Transfer Stephon Payne: Could This Forward Be the X-Factor the Pirates Need?

Seton Hall’s frontcourt puzzle is starting to take shape with a fresh face stepping in to fill some much-needed space inside. Stephon Payne, a 6-foot-9 forward/center making his way from Jacksonville, is the latest addition to the Pirates’ 2025-26 roster, and he brings with him a mix of promise and practicality—and just one year of eligibility left to prove it. While the pandemic-era player transfer portal has been a wildfire for all positions, snagging a dependable big man is a whole different animal, tougher than any other spot on the floor. But Payne isn’t just any recruit; he arrived drawing attention from major programs like Indiana and Louisville before deciding on South Orange. He plays the paint the way coach Shaheen Holloway covets—no three-point heaves, just solid post presence and hustle rebounds. If Seton Hall hopes to shore up its front line and combat the big-man shortage that’s plagued them, this looks like a timely move. Curious to see how Payne will fit alongside returning center Godswill Erheriene and what the rest of the offseason will bring? This commitment feels like a significant step toward stability in a roster that’s still very much a work in progress. LEARN MORE

Among schools listed as recruiting Payne in this cycle were Indiana, Louisville, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. The native Floridian began his college career at Incarnate Word before spending the past two seasons with Jacksonville in the Atlantic Sun Conference.The frontcourt reinforcements are starting to emerge for Seton Hall basketball.Vs. Florida: 6 points on 3-of-8 field goals, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls

1. He drew quite a bit of portal interest

The Pirates have added a commitment from Stephon Payne, a transfer forward/center from Jacksonville. Right now, he’s just the second big man on their 2025-26 roster.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at [email protected].As the calendar turns to May, the Hall is desperate for big men. Payne could conceivably play alongside the 6-foot-9 Erheriene, or they could split time at the five. We’ll see what else comes in over the next few weeks, but we know it’s hard to recruit postmen out of the portal – harder than any other position – and the hour is getting late.

As a junior this past winter he averaged 8.4 points and 6.3 rebounds – including 2.8 offensive boards – in just 21 minutes per game. He shot 53 percent from the field and 63 percent from the free-throw line as Jacksonville finished 19-14 overall and 12-6 in the Atlantic Sun.Wings (1): Joshua Rivera.Vs. Virginia Tech: 6 points on 3-4 field goals, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 fouls

2. He’s attempted zero collegiate 3-pointers

Here are three things to know about Payne, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound junior with one year of eligibility remaining.

3. He fills a dire need

Guards (4): Budd Clark, TJ Simpkins, A.J. Staton-McCray, Jahseem Felton.

Seton Hall’s projected 2025-26 depth chart

Bigs (2): Godswill Erheriene, Stephon Payne.Vs. Georgia: 5 points on 2-of-4 field goals, 3 rebounds, 2 foulsPayne knows what he is. He plays inside and that is what Hall coach Shaheen Holloway wants from his bigs. Seton Hall’s returning center, Godswill Erheriene, did not put up a 3-pointer this past season.Here were Payne’s games against high-majors in 2024-25: