2014 NBA Draft: Adreian Payne discusses playing with mono

Mar 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Adreian Payne (5) reacts after a three pointer against the Connecticut Huskies during the second half in the finals of the east regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Former Michigan State Spartans’ forward Adreian Payne had a fantastic senior season, including a 41-point performance in a win over the Delaware Blue Hens in the NCAA tournament.

After the season came to an end, it was revealed that Payne had played the entire season with mononucleosis.

“It was strange. I would wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweats,” Payne told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “I didn’t know what it was. My throat was sore. I told the trainer and we did what we could do during the season. I didn’t know why I was getting so tired. I felt weak on the court. During games, at times I felt exhausted and I didn’t know why. There was nothing you could do about it. Just rest. If I [had found out about the mono diagnosis] during the season, I probably wouldn’t have been playing.”

Payne, a projected mid-first round pick, put up 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for the Spartans last season.

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