Lee Adds Payne to CSUB Hoops Coaching Staff

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Cal State Bakersfield Head Men's Basketball Coach Todd Lee has announced the addition of Russell Payne to the Roadrunners' coaching staff as an Assistant Coach.

Payne joins CSUB after two seasons at California State University, East Bay, where he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under Head Coach Bryan Rooney. During his time with the Pioneers, Payne helped guide the program to historic heights, including the first regular-season and tournament championships in school history.

In 2025-26, Cal State East Bay posted a 33-0 record, won the CCAA Tournament championship and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Division II West Region. The Pioneers advanced to the West Regional championship and finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally with an Elite Eight appearance.

"Russell brings a lot of coaching experience and also recruiting experience," Lee said of his newest hire. "He is a Southern California native and has a lot of relationships with high school coaches and AAU programs. He is a family man and has very high character, which fits our staff perfectly. Russell is a great addition to our already strong and experienced staff."

As East Bay's recruiting coordinator, Payne organized recruiting efforts and developed prospect lists ranging from high school to international prospects. He also played a key role in the development of Tyree Campbell, who earned NABC Division II National Player of the Year honors, as well as several other all-conference and all-region student-athletes.

Payne brings extensive experience at the high school and club levels throughout Southern California. He spent four seasons as an assistant varsity coach at Harvard-Westlake School from 2020-24, helping the program win four Mission League championships and compile a 108-15 record. The Wolverines also won the 2024 CIF Open Division Southern Section championship and Open Division State titles in 2023 and 2024.

Before joining Harvard-Westlake, Payne served as the head varsity coach at West Torrance High School, associate head varsity coach at Redondo Union High School and assistant varsity coach at Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences.

Payne was also the president and founder of Los Angeles Elite Basketball Club, an organization he founded in 2013. Through his club and coaching work, he helped prepare numerous players for collegiate and professional opportunities.

Payne joins a CSUB staff that continues to build on the Roadrunners' tradition of competitive excellence and player development.

~GoRunners.com~

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