Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne leaving Lexington to coach Knicks

Longtime Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne is, in fact, leaving for New York

Payne has been on Kentucky’s staff since 2010, and was promoted to associate head coach in 2014 under John Calipari. He’ll surely be missed not just as a veteran, calming voice on gamedays, but also in recruiting, where Calipari relied on him at times as an initial icebreaker with top high school talents.

Payne called the decision bittersweet, but a necessary one, as he’s ready to take his career to new heights. In New York, he’ll help coach a familiar face in forward Kevin Knox under new head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Will Kentucky be able to replace Kenny Payne?

“This is a bittersweet day for us at Kentucky,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “Kenny has been an extremely important part of our success here. His relationship with our players is second to none. He coaches them and challenges them as hard as anyone, but they respect him, they listen to him and they learn from him because they know he cares. As a basketball coach and a teacher, he could run any program in the country. Simply, he’s as good as they get.”

Payne has played a critical role in the development of some of Kentucky’s best big men, including Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns, both of whom have gone on to great success at the next level. It’s that reputation that follow Payne to Madison Square Garden, where he’ll be tasked with aiding another talented big, Mitchell Robinson, in reaching his full potential.

“That is a unique situation,” Payne said, per the Lexington Herald-Leader. “It’s hard to even fathom leaving Kentucky when you’re in a position like I’m in.”

Yet, when given the opportunity to coach at the next level, Payne can eliminate the always-nagging “what if” that must follow those at the collegiate level until they take that chance. Finally, Payne is doing just that.