{"id":119411,"date":"2023-02-08T19:30:57","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T00:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=119411"},"modified":"2025-06-28T01:38:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T05:38:45","slug":"mad-ants-acquire-rights-to-elfrid-payton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2023\/02\/08\/mad-ants-acquire-rights-to-elfrid-payton\/","title":{"rendered":"Mad Ants acquire rights to Elfrid Payton"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/tMad_Ants_banner.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"322\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-112421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/tMad_Ants_banner.jpg 600w, https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/tMad_Ants_banner-300x161.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/tMad_Ants_banner-150x81.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Fort Wayne Mad Ants have acquired the player rights to Elfrid Payton.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Fort Wayne Mad Ants news release:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Mad Ants acquire rights to Elfrid Payton<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fort Wayne, Indiana (February 8, 2023) \u2013 The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the NBA G League Affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, have acquired the player rights to Elfrid Payton.<\/p>\n<p>Payton last played for the Phoenix Suns during the 2021-22 NBA season, where he appeared in 50 games.<\/p>\n<p>Payton played for nine seasons in the NBA with stops in Orlando, Phoenix, New Orleans and New York after being drafted 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft. He was traded by the 76ers before he made his NBA debut. He went on to average 8.9 points and 6.5 assists per game as a rookie in Orlando and was named All-Rookie First Team by the NBA. Over the course of his career, Payton averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 assists and four rebounds per game while playing 500 NBA games; 395 of which he was a starter.<\/p>\n<p>Before turning pro, Payton was a two-time First Team All-Sun Belt player for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While with Louisiana, Payton averaged a career best 19.2 points per game during his junior season, adding 2.3 steals per game and being named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. He was also honored with the Lefty Driesell Award as the National Defensive Player of the Year for college basketball. After leading the Ragin\u2019 Cajuns to the NCAA Tournament, Payton declared for the NBA Draft, forgoing his senior season.<\/p>\n<p>Payton will wear number 2 with the Mad Ants.<\/p>\n<p>In a related move, the Mad Ants have waived guard Devontae Shuler.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the injury to forward Bennie Boatwright has been deemed season ending, clearing a roster spot for Payton.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Related Images:<\/h3><div class=\"ngg-related-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24844.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2899\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24844.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24844.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2899\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24844.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24846.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2900\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24846.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24846.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2900\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24846.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24849.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2901\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24849.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24849.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2901\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24849.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24850.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2902\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24850.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24850.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2902\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24850.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24851.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2903\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24851.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24851.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2903\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24851.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24854.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2904\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24854.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24854.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2904\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24854.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24855.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2905\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24855.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24855.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2905\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24855.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24857.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2906\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24857.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24857.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants at Headwaters Park East and the Three Rivers Festival.  Photo taken July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Mad Ants\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2906\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24857.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24859.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Three Rivers Festival at Headwaters Park on July 13, 2007.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"2907\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/24859.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24859.jpg\" data-title=\"2007 TRF: Headwaters Park\" data-description=\"The Three Rivers Festival at Headwaters Park on July 13, 2007.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2007 TRF: Headwaters Park\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2007 TRF: Headwaters Park\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2907\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2007-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_24859.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/assorted-photos\/118356.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants mascot. Photo taken at 2009 Fright Night.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"4912\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/assorted-photos\/118356.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/assorted-photos\/thumbs\/thumbs_118356.jpg\" data-title=\"Mad Ants mascot\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants mascot. Photo taken at 2009 Fright Night.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Mad Ants mascot\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Mad Ants mascot\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4912\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/assorted-photos\/thumbs\/thumbs_118356.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-trf\/slp149745.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants in the Three Rivers Festival Parade on July 9, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"6497\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-trf\/slp149745.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_slp149745.jpg\" data-title=\"2011: Three Rivers Festival Parade\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants in the Three Rivers Festival Parade on July 9, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2011: Three Rivers Festival Parade\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2011: Three Rivers Festival Parade\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6497\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_slp149745.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-trf\/slp149756.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Mad Ants in the Three Rivers Festival Parade on July 9, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"6498\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-trf\/slp149756.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_slp149756.jpg\" data-title=\"2011: Three Rivers Festival Parade\" data-description=\"The Mad Ants in the Three Rivers Festival Parade on July 9, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2011: Three Rivers Festival Parade\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2011: Three Rivers Festival Parade\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6498\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-trf\/thumbs\/thumbs_slp149756.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/madants\/brianlevy.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"In conjunction with their purchase of the NBA Development League\u2019s Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday that Brian Levy will be the team\u2019s General Manager. Photo courtesy of the Mad Ants.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"8776\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/madants\/brianlevy.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/madants\/thumbs\/thumbs_brianlevy.jpg\" data-title=\"Brian Levy\" data-description=\"In conjunction with their purchase of the NBA Development League\u2019s Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday that Brian Levy will be the team\u2019s General Manager. Photo courtesy of the Mad Ants.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Brian Levy\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Brian Levy\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"8776\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/madants\/thumbs\/thumbs_brianlevy.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/madants\/tChris_Taylor.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Chris Taylor, Mad Ants General Manager. Courtesy photo.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"11849\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/madants\/tChris_Taylor.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/madants\/thumbs\/thumbs_tChris_Taylor.jpg\" data-title=\"Chris Taylor\" data-description=\"Chris Taylor, Mad Ants General Manager. Courtesy photo.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Chris Taylor\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Chris Taylor\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"11849\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/madants\/thumbs\/thumbs_tChris_Taylor.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/isp\/t20251111-ISP.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"From left to right: Troopers Chase Pfefferkorn, Eric Mitchel, Bryce Kukelhan, and Caleb Wooldridge. Photo courtesy of the Indiana State Police.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='41fdfdaf7cbe4dbd3d04b38639fa7d9d' data-image-id=\"12286\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/isp\/t20251111-ISP.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/isp\/thumbs\/thumbs_t20251111-ISP.jpg\" data-title=\"Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post Troopers\" data-description=\"From left to right: Troopers Chase Pfefferkorn, Eric Mitchel, Bryce Kukelhan, and Caleb Wooldridge. Photo courtesy of the Indiana State Police.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post Troopers\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post Troopers\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"12286\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/isp\/thumbs\/thumbs_t20251111-ISP.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Fort Wayne Mad Ants have acquired the player rights to Elfrid Payton.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":112422,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21068],"tags":[35379,35380,28838,35388,35338,23,2206,8441,20753,35383,35384,35387,23586,35386,11884,8445,23570,15115,35385,35382,35381],"class_list":["post-119411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mad-ants-news","tag-2014-nba-draft","tag-all-rookie-first-team","tag-bennie-boatwright","tag-devontae-shuler","tag-elfrid-payton","tag-fort-wayne-indiana","tag-fort-wayne-mad-ants-basketball","tag-indiana-pacers-basketball","tag-lafayette-louisiana","tag-lefty-driesell-award","tag-national-defensive-player-of-the-year","tag-nba-draft","tag-nba-g-league-basketball","tag-ncaa-basketball-tournament","tag-new-orleans-pelicans-basketball","tag-orlando-magic-basketball","tag-philadelphia-76ers-basketball","tag-phoenix-suns-basketball","tag-ragin-cajuns","tag-sun-belt-defensive-player-of-the-year","tag-university-of-louisiana"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - 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