After a phenomenal debut season in France, Mark Payne, who currently competes for Champaign Châlons-Reims in France's top professional league, and his wife started their break by flying back home to Northern California. Throughout his off-season, Payne will work out six days a week to prep for the upcoming season, and spend time with friends and family when able to do so.

UC Davis men's basketball recently invited Payne to share his experiences at UC Davis, and as a professional basketball player with nearly 300 elementary-aged players who signed up for this year's youth camp.

After sharing his background story as a UC Davis student-athlete, and highlights of his career in Europe, Paine fielded a slew of questions from an enthusiastic audience.

Once all of the campers returned to their respective courts to continue their skills training, the Stockton native was kind enough to sit down, reflect about his time as an Aggie, life as a professional and some of the challenges faced off the court throughout his adventures in Spain, Greece and France.

Included below is the first part of this question-and-answer series featuring Payne, visit ucdavisaggies.com on Wednesday to learn more about life as an overseas professional basketball player.

What was it like being in the hot seat and taking questions from the campers?

I attended this camp when I was young, it was fun being on the other side hanging out and talking with everyone.


When will you head back to France?

The season is similar to a school year - I arrived home on June 1, and will head back in early August since the season starts in October.


What tips or advice did your American teammates share with you when you first began playing basketball abroad?

When I started this process, a couple NBA players that I trained with advised me to save my money. Once I started playing overseas, I knew nobody at first and was, for the most part, on my own.


Describe a typical off-season workout day.

When I return home for the summer, I take two weeks off to spend time with my friends and family. We will hang out, head to the beach or visit someplace relaxing where I can recover. I rarely play pick-up games, or run full court five-on-five since my team has the ability to cut my contract if I injure myself during the off-season.

I'll shoot for 60-90 minutes - something I have done throughout the past five years - lift weights, then go for a run in the evening.


What runs through your mind when you return to campus?

I owe everything to UC Davis because I was given a chance to play here. This school is a special place for me and my wife (a Aggie volleyball student-athlete) because this is where we first met.

I'd like to return to the Pavilion and watch a game in the winter, but that will most likely take place after I retire.


What advice do you give to high school players who ask for advice?

I am a firm believer that you can achieve anything if you are willing to work hard. I was not the most gifted player, or tall, and was overlooked by a lot of people. As a high school junior and senior, I woke up at 5:30 a.m., went to the gym before school and worked hard.

Whether it is basketball, another sport, or anything you want to achieve, if you want something, give it your all and be passionate about it.


Is there a memory, event or moment from your time at UC Davis that sticks out among all others?

Senior Night. It was the last game of the season; my family and my wife's family were in attendance that evening.


Is there anything from the United States that you are going to miss when you return to France?

For me and my wife, it's always a big thing whenever we find a Starbucks. There is one two hours away; whenever we are in the area, we visit, sit there, and feel like we are back at home.