Apr 21, 2014 03:48 PM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

There's precedent for Elfrid Payton, the Louisiana-Lafayette point guard who recently declared for the NBA draft, at the next level. Most of that precedent isn't directly related to his now alma mater (which has produced just seven pro players - none of note -- in their history); rather, it's tied to a slew of successful pros who have come from small schools.

Many big time NBA players from small time schools are playing in this year's playoffs, including Damon Lillard (Weber State), Stephen Curry (Davidson), and Paul George (Fresno State). Payton is this year's highest projected player from a mid-major; according to NBAdraft.net, he's expected to go 22^nd to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Behind him is Wichita State's Cleanthony Early, who seems less qualified for Damon Lillard status given his small school's high profile reputation. (Stephen Curry and his banner final season also made him seem like less of a small-schools guy, even if the distinction might have hurt his draft stock.)

Payton averaged 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in his junior season at Louisiana-Lafayette. He shot a respectable 50 percent from the field, but a less than respectable 26 percent from three and 60 percent from the three point line. In case those stat lines don't tell the story, shooting is not one of his strengths. Size and athleticism are for the 6-foot-3 guard.

Payton's mid-major status may have taken a hit from last year's draft, in which UNLV guy Anthony Bennett became one of the least successful number one picks in recent history. Also going in the top 10 of that draft was Lehigh's C.J. McCollum, who was injured for most of the year and then shuffled between the NBA and the D-League. 

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