Hastings, Payne Sign National Letters of Intent

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Jayden Hastings and Fred Payne have signed their National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Boston College as members of the men's basketball program.

"We are extremely excited that Fred and Jayden believed in our vision to move the program to greater heights and wanted to be apart of the movement," said the Clement and Elizabeth Izzi Family Head Men's Basketball Coach Earl Grant. "We welcome them to the BC family!"

Hastings is a 6-9, 225 pound forward is completing his prep career at the IMG Academy in Sarasota, Fla. A four-star rated recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals.com, Hastings is a mobile, high-motor post player who can finish at the rim on offense and protect it on the defensive side of the floor. He competed this summer with Nightvydas Elite (Nike EYBL), using his length and explosive athletic ability to rank as one of the circuit's top shot blockers (2.0 bpg). He began his high school career at Orlando Christian Prep, helping to guide the Warriors to the 2022 FHSAA Class 2A state championship. For his efforts, he earned All-State honors by SBLive Florida in 2022.

Earl Grant on Jayden Hastings: "Jayden is really long and athletic. He is an elite shot blocker and can rebound at 12 feet. Jayden has a lot of upside and is developing at a fast pace. He can score on the block and gets out on the run for layups and dunks. He is also a very good passer from the low block and the high post."

Hastings on Boston College: "I chose Boston College because of the coaches and everyone up there. The coaches and I really get along and we've talked for a long time about a lot of things...When I hung out with the players, it seemed like they were really together. I'll be with those guys 24-7, so the bond is important to me. I really loved Boston and had a really good experience seeing the city...Their program is on the rise and I can be a big part of that." (Rivals.com - Travis Graf)

Payne is a 6-2, 185 pound guard who is playing his final prep season at Legacy the School of Sport Sciences in Spring, Texas. A four-star rated combo guard according to ESPN.com, Payne gave his verbal commitment to the Eagles this past May. He competed with LivOn Fleur De Lis in grassroots basketball, averaging 10.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in 13 games on the Nike EYBL circuit over the summer. The left-handed guard was named the MVP at the Big Shots Prep Nationals in March. Payne began his high school career at Lincoln Prep in Grambling, La. before transferring to Sunrise Christian in Kansas.

Earl Grant on Fred Payne: "Fred brings a lot of versatility to our program. He is a hard-nosed defender and enjoys pressuring the basketball full court. He is fast and athletic and has a knack for getting his hands on the ball. He is wired to score and does a great job of creating his own shot. His passing ability and vision is really good. Fred is crafty, finishing in the paint with both hands."

Fred Payne on Boston College: "I chose Boston College because it was the best fit and the coaches made me feel at home. I also like the style of play and they have a history of developing guards like me. Head coach Earl Grant flew out to watch me work out at 7 in the morning and that made them jump over all the programs because from the minute they started recruiting me, they always showed love. Boston College recruits underrated guards and dogs and I feel like that's where I'm going to get better as a player and as a person." (On3.com - Joe Tipton)

Hastings, Payne Sign National Letters of Intent

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