For the better, Decorian Payton is preparing to become more of a wing player

<p>Junior forward<strong> Decorian Payton</strong> came to realization – while he still has time – that he’s not going to be a post player in college, especially at 6-foot-5.</p> <p>But Payton is mentally ready to step out a comfort zone that’s he has grown accustomed to being in under his high school basketball coach Newton Mealer and his AAU coach Chris Adams.</p> <p>In all fairness, because of the wing players Center Hill has had to go along with the fact that Payton plays bigger than his height are the reasons he’s been in the post. But going into his senior season at Center Hill High School, Mealer will look to draw up offensive sets for Payton to play more on the wing. And with the AAU season kicking into high gear, Coach Adams is going to prepare him to be more of a threat on the outside as well.</p> <p>If Payton’s goal is to ever play college basketball, whether it’s Division 1, 2, or 3, then he will have to come out of the paint, knock down shots from the perimeter and have the ability to handle the basketball.</p> <p>“A lot of people have told me that at the next level, I’m not going to be playing the five, and I know that because I’m undersized,” Payton said. “So this summer, I’m going to handle the ball, shoot more and get used to the role I am going to play next year.”</p> <p>Payton played alongside some talented wing players for the Mustangs this past season. <strong>Calvin Temple</strong>, <strong>Kenneth Lewis</strong>, Kevin Henry, and <strong>Kaeden Laws</strong> made a lot of shots from the outside, keeping Payton in the post. On the AAU circuit, Payton will be playing alongside <strong>Kavion McClain</strong>, <strong>Jesse Payne</strong>, <strong>Michael</strong> <strong>Malone Jr.,</strong> and <strong>Anthony Burks</strong> for the Bluff City Legends Gold. All four guards can handle the basketball and make shots from the perimeter.</p> <p>This team also has 6-6 forward Anterrio Jeffries, who’s going to get some minutes at center, and for Payton, he will have the freedom to log in as many opportunities to take a hand full of perimeter jump shots, put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket.</p> <p>“Coach Chris is allowing me to play outside, like I’m still getting used to handling the ball consistently so, like, whenever we’re at practice or in a game, I get a rebound, and he wants me to go coast to coast with it,” Payton said. “He wants me to trust my handles.</p> <p>“He’s basically pushing me to become guard material.”</p> <p>Each time Payton is in the gym with Adams, he’s shooting a lot of jump shots. He’s running drills that are guard-oriented. As of right now, Payton isn’t getting a lot of looks from college coaches and is hopeful playing on the Nike Circuit will change that.</p> <p>Since the end of Center Hill’s run to the 5A state title, Payton’s focus has been on potentially playing at shooting guard or small forward at the next level. During the Mustangs’ 31-3 season, Payton took some outside jump shots and even drove to the basket.</p> <p>It can be said that he has already started stepping out of his comfort zone.</p> <p>“I know for a fact I’m undersized playing the four and the five,” said Payton, who averaged 15 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last season for Center Hill. “And I know that no one is going to want a big man that’s only 6-5. So with me playing the two and the three, it’s giving me a better opportunity to make it to the next level.”</p>