DaytonDailyNews.com

JEFFERSON TWP., Montgomery County — Adreian Payne sets his 6-foot-9 frame into a folding chair outside the Jefferson High School gym as Broncos coach Art Winston passes on the newest stack of mail. The letters contain return addresses from Iowa, Minnesota, Kentucky and Dayton — in this batch, at least.

The Jefferson star uses one of his long fingers to flip open the recruiting letter from the University of Dayton. He unfolds it. Under a picture of a full UD Arena, it tells Payne that ESPN's Top 5 College Basketball Towns, named by one commentator, are Dayton, Durham, Lawrence, Stillwater, Albuquerque.

Under that, in red ink, it reads, "Dayton loves its basketball — J.B."

This letter from UD assistant Jon Borovich is one of mountains Payne has received in the Jefferson office since college coaches noticed that the incoming junior has the size, athletic ability and basketball skills to be one of the top players in his class nationally.

Recently, Rivals.com ranked Payne the 14th-best recruit in the Class of 2010, which means the next two seasons will include plenty of phone calls and letters like this as the Flyers and some of the country's top basketball programs try to add Payne to their rosters.

"You have to improve every year, because if you don't they'll think, 'What is he doing there? Is he doing his work? Is he slacking off?' " Payne said.

"A lot of people get the big head and don't focus on their game because they think they're already there. I'm not there yet."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389

or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com

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The best of the Class of 2010

Jefferson's Adreian Payne is ranked 14th nationally in the Class of 2010 by Rivals.com. Here's the Top 10:

Player, School Pos. Ht./Wt. Commitment

1. Jeremy Tyler, San Diego High F 6-9/240 None

2. Tristan Thompson, Newark St. Benedict's Prep F 6-8/210 Texas

3. Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland F 6-7/260 Ohio State

4. Josh Smith, Covington (Wash.) Kentwood C 6-10/270 None

5. Josh Selby, Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha G 6-1/180 None

6. Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa) Senior F 6-6/196 None

7. DeShaun Thomas, Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers F 6-7/210 Ohio State

8. Brandon Knight, Coral Springs (Fla.) Pine Crest G 6-3/170 None

9. Reggie Bullock, Kinston (N.C.) G 6-5/175 N. Carolina

10. Joe Jackson, Memphis White Station G 6-0/150 None