SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball Director of Operations, Andrew Payne, has been named the 2026 Silver Waves Media Rising Star, announced by Silver Waves Media on Wednesday. The organization recognizes rising men's basketball personnel at both the collegiate and professional levels.
 
Andrew Payne wrapped up his ninth season with the program and his fifth as the Director of Recruiting and Operations. Payne oversees all the team's recruiting calendars, social media accounts, and gear designs. He also assists with film duties, academics, and the student manager program.

Payne arrived at UC Santa Barbara after a season as the Graduate Assistant under Lamont Smith at the University of San Diego. At USD, Payne was in charge of the student manager program as well as assisting the staff with opponent scouting and organizing the recruiting database.

Prior to his year at San Diego, Payne spent three seasons at the University of Arizona. From 2013-16, he was a student manager under Sean Miller. His role in the program included aiding the coaching staff in workouts and practice, as well as various film and recruiting operational duties. In his three seasons in Tucson, Payne was a part of two Pac-12 championships and three NCAA Tournament berths, including two Elite Eight appearances.

While at Arizona, Payne earned a bachelor's degree in Economics. Prior to Arizona, Payne spent two seasons as a student manager at Loyola Marymount. Throughout the summers, Payne worked as an NBA Predraft Training Assistant for BDA Sports, aiding in workouts for multiple lottery picks, as well as working at the prestigious Nike Academies and Under Armour All-American Camps.